A trailer-related accident caused a major disruption along Upper Bukit Timah Road on the evening of April 9, 2025. At around 6.50pm, a 54-year-old trailer driver was involved in an incident at the junction of Upper Bukit Timah Road and Gombak Avenue, where several large concrete slabs fell from the trailer onto the road. The driver is currently assisting the police with ongoing investigations.
Footage of the incident surfaced shortly after and was widely circulated online. In one video, a number of heavy concrete slabs are seen scattered across the road, obstructing all three lanes and causing traffic to grind to a halt. Workers dressed in yellow safety vests can be seen placing traffic cones around the affected area to secure the scene.
Another video captured shortly after the incident shows workers beginning clean-up efforts while redirecting traffic. In the video, one lane was partially reopened with a worker holding a "Go" sign to assist with vehicle movement. Despite the disruption, no injuries were reported and the Singapore Civil Defence Force confirmed that their assistance was not required at the scene.
This incident marks the latest in a series of trailer-related accidents that have raised public concern. Just weeks earlier, on March 19, 2025, another serious incident involving a trailer took place in Tuas. In that case, a large prefabricated concrete block used in the construction of public housing fell from a trailer and landed directly onto the road. The video of that incident also went viral, prompting discussions on the safety standards of heavy vehicle operations in Singapore.
Although no injuries occurred in the April 9 accident, the event sparked traffic congestion and safety concerns, especially given its timing during evening peak hours. With the entire three-lane stretch temporarily closed off, oncoming vehicles were either redirected or forced to remain stationary until one lane was reopened. This led to a significant backlog of traffic along the busy arterial road.
Authorities are now focused on determining what caused the concrete slabs to fall. Investigations will likely explore whether the slabs were inadequately secured or if mechanical failure played a role. It remains to be seen whether any regulatory breaches occurred, such as overloading or improper transportation methods.
The 54-year-old male driver of the trailer has not been arrested but is cooperating fully with the authorities as part of the investigation process. No formal charges have been filed at this time.
In the meantime, road safety advocates are calling for stricter checks on trailers transporting heavy construction materials. They are urging companies to ensure that safety protocols are strictly followed and that all cargo is securely fastened before trailers are allowed to operate on public roads.
This latest trailer mishap highlights the potential dangers of transporting oversized and heavy loads on busy urban routes. With more construction projects underway across the island, especially in areas involving prefabricated materials, the need for heightened transport safety measures has become even more pressing.
Motorists who frequent high-traffic construction zones are advised to remain vigilant and exercise caution when sharing the road with heavy vehicles. Authorities may also consider increasing random checks or implementing stricter enforcement measures to reduce the likelihood of such incidents occurring in the future.
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