World · East Asia & Pacific · 5 hrs ago
Punggol residents raise safety concerns after two AV near misses
Two autonomous vehicles had near misses in Punggol, Singapore, on Nov 5.
One came close to a girl crossing at a junction; another turned into the path of an approaching vehicle while making a U-turn.
Both vehicles were testing new routes for on-demand services, not running their usual fixed shuttle routes.
The Land Transport Authority is investigating and has ordered Grab to pause testing at such junctions and ComfortDelGro to pause U-turns at one Punggol junction.
Parents and other residents raised safety concerns, especially about children crossing roads near the vehicles.
Some said they would still accept trials continuing once the incidents had been reviewed.
The trials are part of efforts to add to public transport, with Punggol shuttles linking residential areas to places such as MRT stations and polyclinics.
Singapore had 15 passenger autonomous vehicles operating in Punggol as of Nov 3, and the authority’s investigations will determine the next steps for the paused tests.
Two autonomous vehicles had near misses in Punggol on Nov 5, raising safety concerns among residents.
One incident involved a Grab vehicle that appeared to come close to hitting a schoolgirl crossing a road.
In the other, a ComfortDelGro vehicle turned into the path of an approaching vehicle while attempting a U-turn.
The Land Transport Authority is investigating both incidents and ordered pauses to some testing.
Residents interviewed by CNA expressed concern but were open to trials continuing after the incidents are reviewed.
- Who
- A Grab autonomous vehicle and a ComfortDelGro autonomous vehicle were involved. Punggol residents raised safety concerns.
- What
- Two near misses involving autonomous vehicles occurred. The Land Transport Authority is investigating.
- When
- Nov 5, 2026.
- Where
- Punggol, Singapore. One incident was at a traffic junction; the other was at a junction in Punggol Field.
- Why
- The incidents happened while the vehicles were testing new routes for enhanced on-demand services. The cause of each incident is under investigation.
Residents concerned about safety
Residents open to trials continuing
Safety
Residents concerned about safety
Some residents said they were worried about boarding AVs with family or crossing roads near them, and some drivers found them unpredictable.
Residents open to trials continuing
Some residents said they would ride in AVs or were open to trials continuing once the incidents had been reviewed.
Testing locations
Residents concerned about safety
One resident said industrial areas or university campuses with fewer young children may be more suitable for testing.
Residents open to trials continuing
Not stated.
A ComfortDelGro AV collided with a road divider while testing in Punggol.
A Grab AV appeared to come close to hitting a schoolgirl at a junction in Punggol.
A ComfortDelGro AV turned into the path of an approaching vehicle while attempting a U-turn at a junction in Punggol Field.
The Land Transport Authority directed Grab to pause testing at such junctions and told ComfortDelGro to pause U-turns at the Punggol Field junction as a precaution.
- Near misses
- Two incidents involving AVs in Punggol on Nov 5, 2026
- Grab incident
- A schoolgirl was crossing a road at a traffic junction
- ComfortDelGro incident
- AV attempted a U-turn at a junction in Punggol Field
- Investigation
- The Land Transport Authority is investigating both incidents
- AV fleet
- 15 passenger AVs were operating in Punggol as of Nov 3
- Residents interviewed
- CNA spoke to 12 Punggol residents
1 source
What people are saying
I’m definitely a bit worried and a bit sceptical about boarding the autonomous vehicles with my family,
Even when you’re not on board the vehicle, you’re just crossing the road normally with your young kids, you will have to keep a special lookout for the autonomous vehicles,
I don’t want my niece or nephew to be involved in a (similar) incident,
I try to avoid them,