who says communication needs to involve speech only?
JAM! Not again.. Obviously, I was not tuning to any radio station while driving to school. This is one bad decision.
Are there any ways to beat any jams? Yes there is! One of the ways involves listening to the radio station where there will be constant updates on the traffic conditions all over Singapore. Another way is to observe the speed of the traffic and the Expressway Monitoring Advisory System (EMAS) overhead digital board. As such, one would be more aware of the traffic conditions of one’s travel paths.
EMAS digital overhead bulletin board
To be frank, there are not any EMAS digital overhead bulletin boards present when I nearly took the Pan-Island Expressway (PIE). Where are the signs?
Can communication then not rely on verbal means? Will communication be effective without speech?
As for myself, being a visual person, pictures and lively things capture my attention.
Taking note of all the colourful road signs, especially the ones that shouts ‘DANGER’, fully captures my attention on the roads. Would I like to speed at steep bends where warning signs are placed all along the road? I obey the signs because I know that the Land Transport Authority of Singapore (LTA) has a good reason in placing the signs. Ethos is present.
Whether verbal methods work best or not highly depends on the individual amd the particular scenario. To me, listening to the radio is for music entertainmemt (strictly no news!). On the other hand, my Dad would tune in to listen to the news. I sigh whenever he is in the car.
As much as my driving patterns are concerned, I frequently communicate to other drivers without me speaking. High beaming and honking the driver in front of me are my favourite past times during driving. It helps the driver in front of me understand that he is getting on my nerves by either driving like a snail or inconsiderately by cutting my lane suddenly.
Hence, in this context of driving, verbal communication is not as important as signs warning from lights. Yes, it is an interactive model of communication because there is ‘noise’ (distractions) present, such as, talking over the mobile phone while driving. It is then up to the driver to be responsible and adapt accordingly. We can come up with plenty of communication methods, but as long as we do not pay careful attention to absorb the information presented to us, and we react in a misunderstood manner, we have not communicated well.
Would you then want to still drive in front of me?
showcase 
derek said
hey man,
reading the post just reminds me of how i’d check traffic in LA, which is by using traffic.com. there’s like online traffic news that could come in very handy, but i guess its not as big a thing in singapore, or maybe it isnt that efficient, or publicized. but i guess with 3G technology, iphones, wifi, internet-2 networks right now, certainly people could rely on that as a useful tool to avoid traffic jams, and not just wait on the news on the radio for traffic information. hahah.
Valmond said
First of all, yes! i would like to drive in front of u. becos i like to irritate drivers who horns impatiently. the more vigorous he honks, the more i will take my time. wahahaha…. honking only shows your frustration, and doesnt help in situations. haha anyway, nice post up there! u illustrated how different medias can help to tackle on a single yet crucial issue in singapore (traffic jams). however, i feel that audio approach appeals to me more. becos i can still be able to concentrate on the road while receiving traffic news on the radio. paying attention to the boards, esp when the words are not visually clear and short forms are used that cause confusions in the drivers, can be a distraction on the road. wont u agree more? =) look forward to greater posts from u! cheers!
bentay said
Derek, good point brought up there about checking online before setting off for my destination. The webiste is http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/on_the_roads/traffic_news.html
Technology is a double edged sword, where it could bring convenience as well as inconvenience and frustration at times. Convenience is a subjective term as a person who is not as skilled technologically will not welcome technology. However, a tech-savvy person would make full use of his mobile phone features to get news and information.
In a situation where technology fails us in a glitch, it causes many inconveniences. On the other hand, if there is no technology in this modern day, the people sending out messages would be deeply inconvenient. This is because they would have to repeat over and over again, rather than just posting the news and information online and all can view.
Thanks for your comment.
bentay said
Valmond, thanks for your comments and feedback. Guess it will end up in a road rage then?
Its great to receive updates on traffic news on radio occasionally. There is a con to relying just on radio though. I understand that most channels on local radio airs traffic news updates every 15 minutes or part thereof. At this frequency, there is a time lag in between and the news being broadcasted out may not be as accurate anymore.
Guess EMAS would be able to do a better job since they are tasked to keep a lookout of traffic in Singapore? There are many cameras installed on the streetlights to keep traffic in surveillance. Hence the notices being displayed on their digital overhead bulletin board would be updated and more accurate.
Stick to what works best for you. There is no one size fits all solution. =).
andy said
Signs are useful if they are placed in the correct place. There were instances whereby road and directional signboards were hidden from view by obstacles, causing motorists to act rashly on public road simply because they saw the sign late. On a lighter note, it is heartening to know that incorrect placements of signboard are often rectified before catastrophes strikes.
iuhiq said
There are all forms or communication approach that people take. Not only verbal communication. Example, road signs, arrows and lines on road do speak wonders. Like double yellow lines, colors of parking lots, etc. If you don’t follow then in singapore you know what will happen.
You mention how different approach there is in order to bring something forward like traffic jam. Personally, i would still prefer the radio as they would mention jam road even before could reach it and thus able to avoid it.
And on last note, I will drive in-front of you. If i do nothing wrong and you horn me, i would just think that you are not a patient person. haha
Chongx said
lol! get a motorbike! you wont get stuck in the jam! (: you havent try the rush hour in kl, it will kill you man!
Zhezhang said
oh i would very much love to drive infront of you. haha like the others, ill like to be able to frustrate you. you can always overtake if you want, yet i’m driving too slowly but fast enough for you not to overtake me. oh well, if not i will not mind driving behind you as well. ill repeat what you did to me and ill see how you feel. haha.
That being said, traffic jams are still the most irritating. Especially so for manual car drivers. Enjoy people! Singapore is really small, so what if we listen to the radios that there’s a jam, If that is the only route that we have to use. In my opinion, traffic jams are caused by butterfly effects. Each and every action of ours affects the future (the jam in this case). When people starts to slow down to see the tragic accident on the roadside, PLEASE think about people having jams at the back. DON’T be so evil to stop and look at the accident unless you want to get out of your car and help. Just looking at the accident cannot revive the dying person. Just MOVE on please!
jesline said
I have no experience with driving but surely, i see the importance of communication through lights and signs. One very simple example, is the sign that shows the direction of the escalator and also the traffic lights.
Do communication through signs and lights beat verbal communication? Personally, i will think that a combination of both will work the best. For example, sometimes we cross the road when people around cross without being conscious about doing so. This is because we have not take notice of the lights and signs of the traffic light. However, there are some traffic lights which have audio effects when the green man is lited. This does aid the careless predestrians to cross at the right time.
On a side note, i think you need to be a patient driver! 🙂
Elaine said
there are many forms of communication. If one medium fails, you still have another. This prove the very importance of communication. that explains why we have this topic called communication skills. Communication is extremely important in a relationship. Same for driving on the road, there is so many vehicles and we cannot possibly communicate with other drivers by shouting out of the car windows. that’s why car have light signals to communicate with the drivers behind you that you are going to turn left or right! i would say every forms of communication is important!