Profile of Motorists who Speed

Question:

Ms Joan Pereira: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs in view of the number of people killed and injured in traffic accidents in 2024 at a five-year high (a) what are the profiles of speeding motorists in terms of age, gender, nationality, years of driving experience and types of vehicles driven; (b) whether public education and penalties can be adapted to target groups at higher risks of offending; (c) what are the main reasons for speeding violations; and (d) what new measures will be considered to reduce drink-driving incidents.

Answer:

Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development:

1. Sir,

2. Based on the data on speeding violations in 2024, males, Singapore citizens and those driving cars are disproportionately represented amongst speeding offenders. As for age, nothing stands out.  TP does not track the data based on years of driving experience.

3. TP collaborates with community partners to conduct public education campaigns for different road user groups. For example, we have the annual Anti-Drink Drive campaign and Singapore Road Safety Month campaign, with the latter focusing on a different theme every year depending on the traffic trends. TP complements this with engagement of vulnerable road users such as elderly pedestrians and children, with different campaigns addressing the specific behaviours of each group.

4. As for the penalty framework, those who commit multiple offences or are recalcitrant offenders can expect to receive higher penalties. Egregious offenders are more likely to face prosecution in Court, instead of being offered composition. In addition, the Road Traffic Act mandates heavier penalties, such as suspension of licence and mandatory minimum sentences, for certain profiles of repeat offenders.

5. TP does not track the reasons for speeding. That said, commonly cited excuses include the lack of awareness of the speed limit, or of the speed at which the motorist was travelling, and urgency to reach appointments.

6. Drink-driving is a major concern for TP. To tackle this, we increased our penalties in 2019, with mandatory imprisonment and mandatory disqualification of licence for dangerous and careless driving offences if the offenders were under the influence of alcohol. TP has also intensified enforcement against drink-driving. In addition, we are reviewing the maximum allowable breath and blood alcohol concentration limits, and will announce the details when ready.