Singapore proposes amendments to traffic laws to ensure fairer sentencing for road traffic offences while addressing rising accidents.
Proposed Amendments to Traffic Laws
On November 11, 2024, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) introduced the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill in Parliament to address concerns over the fairness of sentencing in road traffic offences. The amendments come as part of an ongoing review of traffic laws in response to a worsening road traffic situation.
The proposed changes aim to give courts more discretion in sentencing offenders, especially first-time offenders or cases where other road users may have contributed to the accident. These changes include removing mandatory minimum sentences for certain dangerous driving offences causing grievous hurt or death, allowing the courts to better evaluate the circumstances of each case.
Key Proposed Changes
The mandatory minimum sentences for first-time offenders who cause grievous hurt or death through dangerous driving would be removed. Currently, these offences carry mandatory minimum sentences of one to two years, but under the new proposals, judges would have the discretion to issue sentences based on the specifics of the case. The maximum penalties would remain unchanged: up to five years’ imprisonment for causing grievous hurt and up to eight years for causing death.
Another significant change is the removal of mandatory minimum disqualification periods, which currently range from five to 10 years.
For repeat offenders, the MHA is proposing a reduction in the mandatory minimum sentence for dangerous driving offences causing grievous hurt from two years to one year. Similarly, the mandatory minimum sentence for dangerous driving causing death would be reduced from four years to two years. The maximum penalties would remain unchanged.
Flexibility in Charging and Sentencing
The amendments also provide the prosecution with greater flexibility to proceed with a “hurt” charge, even in cases where “grievous hurt” has been caused. This flexibility allows for a more nuanced approach, taking into account factors such as the severity of the victim’s injuries and whether other road users contributed to the accident.
Additionally, the law will redefine what qualifies as a “repeat offender” in cases involving dangerous or careless driving. Under the new rules, a repeat offender would be someone who has accumulated at least two speeding convictions exceeding 40 km/h above the speed limit within the past five years. This change aims to target more habitual offenders and provide fairer penalties for those with less frequent violations.
Addressing the Road Traffic Situation
The proposed changes come in response to a growing road traffic crisis. In the first half of 2024, there was an increase in fatal accidents compared to the previous year. Notably, fatal speeding-related accidents rose from 13 to 25, while fatal drink-driving accidents increased from 8 to 9.
To address these concerns, the government has recently introduced measures such as mandatory speed limiters for certain lorries and the activation of speed enforcement functions in selected red-light cameras. These initiatives are designed to improve road safety while ensuring that traffic laws are fair and just for all road users.
Conclusion
The proposed changes to Singapore’s traffic laws reflect an effort to balance strict law enforcement with fairer sentencing practices. By allowing more discretion in sentencing and addressing the role of other road users in accidents, the government hopes to ensure that offenders are punished appropriately while also tackling the rising number of road traffic incidents.
