Another main factor is the government’s perception that the increase of lights will increase the safety of the general public. In May 2019, when members of the public who raised concerns about the usage of LED in worsening light pollution, the LTA responded that it ensures the safety of everyone. To read more about LTA’s response on the Straits Times forum, click here.

While it may seem to defy common sense, increased lighting does not necessarily translate to improvements in safety. According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community health, there is no significant evidence that an increase in street lighting reduces road casualties or crime rates. In fact, according to a 2000 study by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, there is a positive correlation between brightly lit alleyways and increased crime.

Here is a video of a Canadian student who won the Gold Award at the Science Fair Nationals for his project on the correlation of light and crime, where he referenced findings from the 2000 study by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority.

 

Glare from bright, unshielded lights can decrease safety. It creates deep shadows where our eyes have a lower ability to adapt to low-light conditions. This is consistent with Mr Kevin Lim’s feedback to the LTA in the Straits Times forum. He feedbacked that due to the high contrast between bright and dark areas as a result of LED lights, he would sometimes encounter “speeding personal mobility device riders who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, dashing across the zebra crossing.” at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5.

To illustrate this, here is a demonstration from the Ivins Night Sky Initiative on how glare can make it difficult to see. Were you able to notice the presence of the man on the left side of the photo?