First Reading of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill

1. The Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill was introduced for First Reading in Parliament today. The Bill introduces amendments to the Road Traffic Act (“RTA”) to enhance criminal penalties and tighten the regulatory regime to deter irresponsible driving.Key AmendmentsEnhancing Criminal Penalties

2. To deter irresponsible driving, MHA plans to enhance criminal penalties, especially for offences where the motorist exhibits egregious driving behaviour and causes serious harm to the victim.^[1] MHA plans to do so by imposing heavier imprisonment terms and fines, as follows:

3. MHA also plans to keep irresponsible drivers off the roads for a longer period, and in a more timely manner through:Tightening Regulatory Regime

4. MHA plans to tighten the regulatory regime to deter risk-taking behaviour on the road, as follows:Updating Obligations of Motorists Involved in Accidents with Animals

5. At present, when involved in an accident with an animal, a motorist is required to stop the vehicle, take steps to contact the owner of the animal, and render assistance at the accident scene. However, these requirements only apply for a specified list of animals such as horses, cattle, pigs, goats and dogs.

6. MHA will amend the RTA to require a motorist to stop the vehicle if he has reasonable ground to believe that the animal involved in the accident has an owner or that the presence of the injured or dead animal on the road may pose a hazard to other road users. The motorist will be required to contact the owner of the animal and provide his particulars, as well as to alert other motorists of any road hazard posed by the animal. The requirements will no longer be limited to any particular species of animal.Feedback from Public Engagement

7. Between 21 February and 13 March 2019, MHA conducted public engagement through REACH to seek feedback on the proposed amendments to the RTA. MHA also engaged stakeholders from various road user groups, including the Singapore Road Safety Council, the National Taxi Association and the National Transport Workers’ Union.

8. The public was largely supportive of the proposed changes. Many of the respondents saw the changes as timely and necessary.

9. Some respondents expressed concern over the possibility that motorists would be held liable for the enhanced penalties even when the victim, in particular a pedestrian, cyclist or PMD rider, was at fault for causing an accident. During the engagements, MHA explained that the basis for higher penalties is that motorists, being in control of a vehicle that they know can potentially cause significant harm to other road users, ought to exercise greater care and responsibility. MHA also provided assurance that, when assessing whether a motorist should be held liable for an accident, TP will consider whether the motorist had been driving safely. If the motorist had been driving safely, no action will be taken against the motorist. In addition, if the victim had engaged in risk-taking behaviour and violated traffic rules, TP will take the necessary enforcement action against him.

10. MHA would like to thank all respondents for taking the time and effort to provide their feedback on the proposed changes.

[1] Examples of egregious driving include drink driving, driving against the flow of traffic, swerving across lanes at high speed, and speeding past pedestrian crossings when one does not have the right of way. Serious harm refers to Death and Grievous Hurt.

[2] Motorists who have five prior suspensions will face a suspension period of four years. Motorists who have six or more prior suspensions will face a suspension period of five years.