Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Whether Regulations Aimed at Strengthening Deterrence Against Irresponsible Driving Put in Place in 2019 are Working

Question:

Mr Murali Pillai: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs having regard to the significant increase in the number of road traffic accidents and fatalities in the first half of 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022 (a) whether the strategy of strengthening deterrence against irresponsible driving put in place in 2019 is working; and (b) what specific steps are taken to address the increase in drink-driving accidents and the disproportional representation of elderly pedestrians and motorcyclists amongst those who suffered injuries or died in road traffic accidents.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. Member Mr Melvin Yong raised a similar question for the sitting on 3 October 2023. In our reply, we explained the reasons for the increase in road traffic fatalities in the first half of 2023. The reasons for the increase in overall traffic accidents are similar.

2. A longer period of monitoring will be required to make any meaningful assessment of whether the amendments to the Road Traffic Act in 2019 have been effective.

3. Nonetheless, the increase in number of accidents and fatalities is a concern. To address this, the Traffic Police (TP) have stepped up their three-pronged approach of education, engagement and enforcement. We had also outlined in our reply to Mr Melvin Yong, some of the measures TP will put in place to address these trends.