Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Number of Traffic Accidents Involving Overseas Visitors Who Drive in Singapore by Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law

Question

Mr Ang Hin Kee : To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) how many visitors to Singapore drive around during their stay and get into traffic accidents; and (b) whether the numbers are significant and a cause for concern.

Answer:

1. From 2015 to 2017, an average of about 240 short-term visitors to Singapore were involved in road traffic accidents annually. This accounts for about 1.7% of all drivers involved in accidents in the same period. The numbers are low.

2.     Traffic Police (TP) reminds foreign motorists crossing land checkpoints to drive safely in Singapore, through distributing brochures and erecting billboards. To deter the commission of traffic offences, TP conducts regular operations at the checkpoints targeting foreign motorists with outstanding summonses.

3. Any policy intervention might be excessive, at this point, with knock on effects on other areas.