Lets have some common sense

Categories: Singapore

Sentosa is not banning dogs from the island, reported Today newspaper. This was the respond given by the management of Sentosa after a letter of complaint against unleashed dogs running loose on the island's beaches. However they added that if regulations to keep pets leashed at all times were not followed, dogs will be banned from the island. The complaint brought forth suggestion to have part of or the whole Tanjong beach to be cordoned off as a dog run. Fortunately this was also rejected by the managament.

I think Singaporeans are sufficiently mature to learn how to compromise and be considerate to one another. In land scarce Singapore, it is inevitable that someone's toes will be stepped on once in awhile. Since this is something unavoidable, we should learn how to compromise and be considerate instead.

Mr Nigel Race was quoted in the article as saying he would keep the dog on a leash when the beach is crowded, but on a quiet day, he usually allows her to run loose. This is the type of common sense needed. Dog owners should know their dogs well, well enough to know how the dog will response in the public unleashed. If the dog is excitable and still not very obedient, then maybe the dog owner should be responsible enough to leash the dog when in public. However if the dog is obedient, then leeway should be given for the dog. Ultimately whatever temperament the dog has or the degree of obedience, the owner should be responsible for his dog.

On the other hand, the general public should try to avoid a certain sections of the beach if they see an unleashed dog if they truely feel uncomfortable with them. Some may feel that they had been victimised, but with careful thought this may not be so. If the management had chosen to close off a section of the beach, then wouldn't the general public lose out as well? If dog owners are considerate like Mr Nigel Race, when there are general public in the near vicinity, I am sure they will leash up their dog.

Sometimes creating rigid rules and sidelining common sense brings more problem than it try to solve. A good example is the segregation of bicycles and inline skates from the pedestrian path. At a glance it certainly makes sense - bicycles and inline skates use bicycle path and pedestrian on pedestrian path only. However problems starts when those who are can cycle but rather unsteadily use the bicycle path. They will pose a greater danger to other cyclist because other cyclist can never anticipate how these unsteady cyclists will cycle. They may suddenly swerve to try to balance themselves and in the process open themselves up to be hit by oncoming cyclist. And you cannot blame them for there are no space for these 'learner' cyclist to practice. Should they cycle in the pedestrian path instead? I think they should especially if they are children riding children's bike. At least here, pedestrians can avoid these learners. Of course the cyclist should also try to riding in areas where there are few pedestrians. If everybody uses common sense, such complications would not have happened.

Another example is cyclist riding on the pavement. No doubt the law says that pavement are off limits to cyclist but sometimes riding on the pavement is the safest choice a cyclist has. It is true that some cyclist think they are the king on the pavement and ring at every pedestrian they encounter. Because of this there were calls for such people to be reprimanded. However rather than using any harsh measures, let practice some compromises. The cyclist should understand that the pavement 'belongs' to the pedestrian and therefore they should always have the right of way. On the other hand, the pedestrian should be more understanding that cycling on road can be dangerous. I am sure they do not want to be blamed for any accident that may happened because they had 'forced' cyclist off the pavement. So again let common sense prevails and compromise.

A lot of 'problems' can be solved if there is a little common sense. If everyone is considerate and able to compromise, then Singapore will be a better place to live in. We should shed the 'me-first' culture for one of 'society-first'. Since society is made up of many 'me', in the end 'every-me' will be happier. So, instead of having yet more rules and fines in this 'Fine City' let some common sense prevails; as most times rigid rules and insensible habits will only created more problems than it tries to solve.