Strong support from MPs on tougher traffic laws; some call for even harsher penalties

Tougher traffic laws were enacted in Parliament on August 4th, with some MPs advocating for more severe penalties to address the escalating road safety crisis. The Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill garnered support from 27 MPs during a six-hour debate, though several called for toughening measures. Despite 149 traffic fatalities in 2025, marking the highest count in a decade, and an increase in injuries from 9,342 in 2024 to 9,955 in 2025, concerns over the proposed penalties' effectiveness persisted.

Xie Yao Quan, representing Jurong Central, pushed for heightened penalties for dangerous driving, citing the case of Jeremiah Ng, who killed a Gojek driver and injured six others in 2021 by driving recklessly at speeds between 157km/h and 169km/h. Ng received a seven-year sentence for dangerous driving causing death, with an additional 12-year driving ban upon release. Xie argued that such egregious acts warranted a stronger punishment, suggesting an increase to 11 years' jail.

Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann indicated that penalties would continue to be reviewed, as would other traffic offenses. Kenneth Tiong of the Workers' Party, representing Aljunied GRC, advocated for stricter penalties for unlicensed drivers and a minimum sentence for first-time offenders. Nominated MP Neo Kok Beng, recalling instances of "brake checking," questioned the inclusion of such behavior under the new purposeful endangerment offense and the adequacy of current penalties. Neo also inquired about immediate suspensions for egregious motorists.

Sim Ann proposed scaling fines based on income, a complex issue involving equity and fairness, which the authorities would examine. Regarding distractive screens, Dennis Tan of the Workers' Party asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to study the impact of screen-based distractions, cognitive load, situational awareness, and emergency response braking times.

Sim noted that current laws did not criminalize the use of wearable devices as intended by manufacturers, but emphasized that installing visual display units posing safety hazards was forbidden. She also discussed the revised demerit points system, explaining that vocational drivers were given consideration due to their unique circumstances, but declined to introduce additional buffers for good drivers, emphasizing the need to reset driving behavior amid worsening road conditions.