I was in a friend’s car on the way to Jalan Besar for our breakfast of bak chor mee. She was navigating heavy traffic, trying to change lanes, but no one would give way. Cars zipped in and out, and one overtook her car on the slant, cutting in. Although I was protected by over a tonne of metal in her car, I flinched.

I have been away from Singapore for over a year and returned for a week in August. I found myself feeling nervous when on the road, even though I wasn’t in the driving seat. The roads are busier; drivers tailgate each other quite often; and there is a general sense of rush and competing for space.