Singapore Ride Safe 2026 - Speech by Ms Sim Ann, Second Minister for Home Affairs & Second Minister for Foreign Affairs

Commissioner of Police, Mr How Kwang Hwee

Chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council, Mr Patrick Kho

Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate & Development (Designate), LTA, Mr Alvin Chia

Distinguished Guests and Partners,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Introduction

1. A very good afternoon to everyone.

2. It is my pleasure to join all of you here today at the Singapore Expo to launch the Singapore Ride Safe 2026 campaign, held in conjunction with the National Bikers’ Weekend.

3. This collaboration brings together the motorcycling community, industry partners and government agencies.

4. Road safety is a shared responsibility. It is not something that any one agency or any individual can achieve alone. It requires all of us to play our part to make our roads safer for everyone, every day.

Motorcyclists Are a Vulnerable Group of Road Users

5. We are seeing some encouraging results from this collective effort.

6. In the first half of 2026, fatal accidents decreased by 23.1% compared with the same period last year from 78 to 60 cases, and fatalities among motorcyclists and pillion riders fell by 35%, from 43 to 28 cases.

7. However, we cannot be complacent and must press ahead with our efforts because in the same period, the total number of motorcyclist accidents that resulted in injuries rose by 4.3%, and the number of injured motorcyclists and pillion riders increased by 5.8%.

8. More riders and pillion riders are still being hurt on our roads, and this is a trend we must take seriously. There is still much work to be done together.

Stronger Deterrence Through a Revised DIPS

9. Road safety is a necessity. Our policies must reflect this priority. Motorists who repeatedly endanger others must face serious consequences. As announced on 31 July this year, the Traffic Police (TP) will be tightening the Driver Improvement Points System, or DIPS, from 1 January 2027. We will lower the demerit point thresholds for both probationary and non-probationary motorists, and lengthen the suspension periods for non-probationary motorists.

10. The signal is clear. Traffic offences will not be taken lightly. Errant motorists will be kept off the roads for longer periods. We expect every motorist to take greater responsibility for the safety of others.

Keeping Platform Workers Safe on Our Roads

11. But deterrence alone is not enough. We must also support those who face higher risk on our roads.

12. One such group is platform workers who provide food delivery and courier services. They spend significantly more time on the roads than the average rider. As a result, they face greater exposure and greater risks. They do provide an important service to our community, and collectively, we have a responsibility to help them ride safely. 

13. This is why we are introducing the "Ride Smart, Ride Safe" workshop for platform workers. The objective is simple: to equip platform workers with the skills, knowledge and confidence to ride safely every day. Together with Singapore's three driving schools, the National Delivery Champions Association and platform operators, we will hold monthly defensive riding sessions at the Singapore Safety Driving Centre. We aim to reach 1,400 platform workers over two years.

14. Beyond equipping platform workers with the skills to ride safely, we must also ensure that their employers support them by adopting practices that allow them to ride safely.

15. This is where MAST, or the Multi-Agency Workplace Safety and Health Taskforce, has an important role to play. MAST brings government agencies together to strengthen workplace safety outcomes. MHA and the Traffic Police have joined the Taskforce to better address work-related traffic risks.

16. We regularly engage employers and platform operators to encourage them to adopt responsible workplace practices. This includes avoiding time-based incentives or penalties as we do not want platform workers to rush on the roads, and ensuring that there are appropriate work-rest arrangements to manage their fatigue.

17. By working together, we can ensure that more workers return home safely to their loved ones.

Getting the Basics Right

18. At the same time, safer conditions must be matched by safe choices on every journey. Even experienced riders can overlook these good riding habits over time. That is why we are introducing refreshed R.I.D.E. visuals. Each letter of R.I.D.E. represents an important pre-ride habit.

(a) R is for riding gear. Wear an approved helmet, riding jacket and gloves, and covered footwear. These are your first line of defence in an accident.

(b) I is for inspect. Check your motorcycle before every ride. Make sure that the tyres, brakes and lights are working properly.

(c) D is for do not take risks. Keep within the speed limits and ride safely and responsibly.

(d) E is for every ride matters. Every time you go on the road, the choices you make affect not just you, but your loved ones and fellow road users.

19. The R.I.D.E. checklist will be made available on delivery apps, physical banners, and the motorcycle parking lots at participating malls. These reminders will help riders to cultivate safer habits and make better choices on the roads.

Learning from Those Who Have Been There

20. Skills and knowledge matter. But some of the most powerful lessons come from lived experience.

21. We will be releasing a video campaign through our "Use Your Road Sense" channels and our partners' social media platforms. It will feature stories of motorcyclists and delivery riders who have survived traffic accidents. 

22. Their experiences remind us that accidents can happen to anyone, regardless of how experienced the rider may be. They also remind us that proper riding gear and safe habits can make a life-saving difference.

23. I invite you to join me in visiting "The Last Mile", an immersive exhibition at the Traffic Police booth from 12 to 13 September. The exhibition follows the journey of an accident victim. It brings home, in a powerful and sobering way, how the choices we make before we ride can mean the difference between life and death.

24. I hope it will encourage all of us to ride with greater care and responsibility.

Conclusion

25. Let me conclude.

26. Road safety is a shared responsibility.

27. Government agencies will continue to strengthen our policies, outreach and enforcement. Industry partners must continue to champion safe riding practices. Every rider must continue to make safe choices on every journey.

28. If each of us plays our part, we can make our roads safer for everyone.

29. I thank the Traffic Police, the Singapore Road Safety Council and the Land Transport Authority for their unwavering commitment to safety.

30. I also thank the three driving schools, our platform partners and the National Delivery Champions Association for supporting the “Ride Smart, Ride Safe” workshop and this campaign.

31. To all riders, ride safely and look out for one another.

32. Thank you. I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable afternoon ahead.