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Singapore Law Watch
12-06-2025
- Singapore Law Watch
Removal of mandatory minimum sentences for some dangerous driving offences to kick in from June 12
Removal of mandatory minimum sentences for some dangerous driving offences to kick in from June 12 Source: Straits Times Article Date: 12 Jun 2025 Author: Andrew Wong Annual statistics released by the Traffic Police on Feb 21 showed a five-year high in the number of people killed or injured in accidents across 2024. Updated legislation covering dangerous and careless driving offences, with mandatory minimum sentences for first-time offenders removed, will take effect on June 12. The first tranche of amendments in the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act will lower the mandatory minimum jail terms for repeat offenders of dangerous driving causing death or grievous hurt to two years' jail and one year's jail, respectively. The mandatory minimum jail term and disqualification period for first-time offenders will also be removed. No changes will be made to the maximum penalties for repeat offenders. Those convicted of dangerous driving causing death can face up to 15 years' jail, while those who cause grievous hurt can be jailed for up to 10 years. In a June 11 statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said: 'The courts will have the flexibility to decide on the appropriate sentence in every case, and MHA expects egregious offenders to continue to be subject to stiff penalties.' Annual statistics released by the Traffic Police (TP) on Feb 21 showed a five-year high in the number of people killed or injured in accidents across 2024. The figures showed that of the 139 fatal accidents in 2024, a total of 46 cases – or one in three – were related to speeding. A total of 142 people died in road accidents in 2024. 'MHA continues to be concerned about the road safety situation in Singapore. TP has intensified its enforcement efforts against egregious driving behaviour, including drink driving,' MHA said. 'We recently announced increases in the penalties for speeding offences, and are reviewing other laws and policies to promote a culture of responsible driving and ensure sufficient penalties for offenders.' Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim had said in Parliament on Jan 7 that the amendments do not mean the Government is signalling a more lenient stance towards repeat offenders. Rather, the changes were made to recalibrate the balance between deterrence and proportionality. Prosecutors will also be given more flexibility to proceed on a 'hurt' charge even when 'grievous hurt' is caused, he said. This is to enable the prosecution to take into account other circumstances that could have been involved. They include the nature of the victim's injury and whether other road users were partly responsible for the accident. The refreshed Act will also adjust how motorists' track records affect their classification as repeat offenders for dangerous or careless driving offences. Under the new Act, motorists will be classified as repeat offenders only if they have at least two prior speeding convictions in excess of 40kmh of the road or vehicle's speed limit. At least two of the speeding convictions will also need to have occurred within five years of the dangerous or careless driving offence they are currently facing. Motorists with previous convictions for dangerous or careless driving, or found to have conducted illegal speed trials, will continue to be classified as repeat offenders if found to have committed another similar offence. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Straits Times
Removal of mandatory minimum sentences for some dangerous driving offences to kick in from June 12
Annual statistics released by the Traffic Police on Feb 21 showed a five-year high in the number of people killed or injured in accidents across 2024. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Removal of mandatory minimum sentences for some dangerous driving offences to kick in from June 12 SINGAPORE – Updated legislation covering dangerous and careless driving offences, with mandatory minimum sentences for first-time offenders removed, will take effect on June 12. The first tranche of amendments in the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act will lower the mandatory minimum jail terms for repeat offenders of dangerous driving causing death or grievous hurt to two years' jail and one year's jail, respectively. The mandatory minimum jail term and disqualification period for first-time offenders will also be removed. No changes will be made to the maximum penalties for repeat offenders. Those convicted of dangerous driving causing death can face up to 15 years' jail, while those who cause grievous hurt can be jailed for up to 10 years. In a June 11 statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said: 'The courts will have the flexibility to decide on the appropriate sentence in every case, and MHA expects egregious offenders to continue to be subject to stiff penalties.' Annual statistics released by the Traffic Police (TP) on Feb 21 showed a five-year high in the number of people killed or injured in accidents across 2024. The figures showed that of the 139 fatal accidents in 2024, a total of 46 cases – or one in three – were related to speeding. A total of 142 people died in road accidents in 2024. 'MHA continues to be concerned about the road safety situation in Singapore. TP has intensified its enforcement efforts against egregious driving behaviour, including drink driving,' MHA said. 'We recently announced increases in the penalties for speeding offences, and are reviewing other laws and policies to promote a culture of responsible driving and ensure sufficient penalties for offenders.' Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim had said in Parliament on Jan 7 that the amendments do not mean the Government is signalling a more lenient stance towards repeat offenders. Rather, the changes were made to recalibrate the balance between deterrence and proportionality. Prosecutors will also be given more flexibility to proceed on a 'hurt' charge even when 'grievous hurt' is caused, he said. This is to enable the prosecution to take into account other circumstances that could have been involved. They include the nature of the victim's injury and whether other road users were partly responsible for the accident. The refreshed Act will also adjust how motorists' track records affect their classification as repeat offenders for dangerous or careless driving offences. Under the new Act, motorists will be classified as repeat offenders only if they have at least two prior speeding convictions in excess of 40kmh of the road or vehicle's speed limit. At least two of the speeding convictions will also need to have occurred within five years of the dangerous or careless driving offence they are currently facing. Motorists with previous convictions for dangerous or careless driving, or found to have conducted illegal speed trials, will continue to be classified as repeat offenders if found to have committed another similar offence. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Star
11-06-2025
- The Star
Removal of mandatory minimum sentences for some dangerous driving offences in Singapore to kick in from Thursday (June 12)
Annual statistics released by the Traffic Police on Feb 21, 2025 showed a five-year high in the number of people killed or injured in accidents across 2024. - Photo: ST SINGAPORE: Updated legislation covering dangerous and careless driving offences with mandatory minimum sentences for first-time offenders removed will take effect on Thursday (June 12). The first tranche of amendments in the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act will lower the mandatory minimum jail terms for repeat offenders of dangerous driving causing death or grievous hurt to two years' jail and one year's jail, respectively. The mandatory minimum jail term and disqualification period for first-time offenders will also be removed. No changes will be made to the maximum penalties for repeat offenders. Those convicted of dangerous driving causing death can face up to 15 years' jail, while those who cause grievous hurt can be jailed for up to 10 years. In a June 11 statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said: 'The courts will have the flexibility to decide on the appropriate sentence in every case, and MHA expects egregious offenders to continue to be subject to stiff penalties.' Annual statistics released by the Traffic Police (TP) on Feb 21 showed a five-year high in the number of people killed or injured in accidents across 2024. The figures showed that of the 139 fatal accidents in 2024, a total of 46 cases – or one in three – were related to speeding. A total of 142 people died in road accidents in 2024. 'MHA continues to be concerned about the road safety situation in Singapore. TP has intensified its enforcement efforts against egregious driving behaviour, including drink driving,' MHA said. 'We recently announced increases in the penalties for speeding offences, and are reviewing other laws and policies to promote a culture of responsible driving and ensure sufficient penalties for offenders.' Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim had said in Parliament on Jan 7 that the amendments do not mean the Government is signalling a more lenient stance towards repeat offenders. Rather, the changes were made to recalibrate the balance between deterrence and proportionality. Prosecutors will also be given more flexibility to proceed on a 'hurt' charge even when 'grievous hurt' is caused, he said. This is to enable the prosecution to take into account other circumstances that could have been involved. They include the nature of the victim's injury and whether other road users were partly responsible for the accident. The refreshed Act will also adjust how motorists' track records affect their classification as repeat offenders for dangerous or careless driving offences. Under the new Act, motorists will be classified as repeat offenders only if they have at least two prior speeding convictions in excess of 40kmh of the road or vehicle's speed limit. At least two of the speeding convictions will also need to have occurred within five years of the dangerous or careless driving offence they are currently facing. Motorists with previous convictions for dangerous or careless driving, or found to have conducted illegal speed trials, will continue to be classified as repeat offenders if found to have committed another similar offence. - The Straits Times/ANN
AsiaOne
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- AsiaOne
This 'officer' never sleeps : Geylang Serai market carpark to have digital sentry to keep watch on errant motorists, Singapore News
A new enforcement 'officer' will be deployed at the carpark next to Geylang Serai Hawker Centre and Market to keep watch on errant motorists. The 'officer', or a digital sentry system, will be implemented following multiple complaints about frequent traffic congestion at Deck 3A of Block 2, Geylang Serai Road. In a Facebook post on Tuesday (June 10), Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, who is MP for Kembangan at Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, highlighted the issue and noted that the congestion situation has inconvenienced many residents and visitors. He expressed concern for the safety of seniors and individuals with mobility issues, who may be obscured from the view of oncoming vehicles due to the traffic buildup. While parking enforcement officers have been actively managing the situation, Prof Faishal pointed out that their efforts are not a sustainable solution, as some motorists resume parking and waiting in the area once the officers leave. To address the issue, HDB will pilot the use of a digital sentry system at the carpark. "Motorists who choose to continue waiting at the area blocking the traffic flow will have their licence plates recorded, and enforcement action will be taken," said Prof Faishal. Developed by local firm Smartguard, the digital sentry provides round-the-clock surveillance and is equipped with features such as loitering detection, fire and smoke alerts, and licence plate recognition. It is also equipped with LED displays for real-time information sharing and three-way sirens for active deterrence. [[nid:677719]]
AsiaOne
31-05-2025
- General
- AsiaOne
Fire breaks out at Ubi coffee shop, 1 taken to hospital, Singapore News
A fire broke out at a coffee shop in Ubi on Friday night (May 30), involving the contents of a food stall on the first floor. The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at 301, Ubi Avenue 1, at about 11.35pm and extinguished it with two water jets. Seventy six residents were safely evacuated, with one senior citizen taken to Singapore General Hospital for follow-up and observation due to smoke inhalation. A few other stalls in the coffee shop also sustained heat and smoke damage, they added. The MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim thanked SCDF in a Facebook post and added that residents on the third and fourth floors could return to their units safely at about 1.40am. Grassroots volunteers provided water and biscuits. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. [[nid:718585]] syarifahsn@
