Motorists in Singapore to face stiffer penalties for driving offences

Source: Xinhua| 2019-02-21 22:03:47|Editor: xuxin
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SINGAPORE, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Motorists in Singapore found guilty of violating the Road Traffic Act will face harsher penalties under proposed changes, especially for serious offences, Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs said here Thursday.

Under the proposed changes, offences will come with longer maximum imprisonment term and higher maximum fines, and the ministry will also be able to keep irresponsible drivers or repeat offenders off the roads for longer periods of time. Essentially, offenders now face a maximum jail term of eight years instead of five, if charged with dangerous driving.

While joint efforts by the Traffic Police and the Land Transport Authority in Singapore have seen the number of fatal accidents and number of injury accidents drop between 2014 and 2018, the past three years saw a significant increase in summons issued by the Traffic Police.

To combat the issue, the ministry plans to strengthen deterrence against dangerous drivers, through the imposition of heavier prison sentences and fines.

The ministry will engage with the public to seek their views on the proposed changes to the Road Traffic Act from Thursday until March 13. The public will be able to give their feedback on government feedback portal REACH.

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