Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Whether the Deadline for Installing Speed Limiters in Lorries in the Lower Weight Category will be Expedited

Question:

Mr Yip Hon Weng: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Ministry will expedite the deadline for installing speed limiters in lorries in the lower weight category in the interest of public safety; and (b) what targeted assistance options, such as technical support, installation subsidies or awareness campaigns, are being considered to encourage companies and drivers to install speed limiters without undue delay.

Answer:

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

1. We share the Member’s desire to expedite the installation of speed limiters on lorries. However, suppliers and manufacturers of speed limiters have informed Traffic Police (TP) that only speed limiters compatible with older lorries are available. Therefore, TP requires owners of older lorries to comply sooner, with heavier lorries in two years, as they can cause greater harm in an accident. Lighter lorries must comply in two and a half years. For newer lorries, newer speed limiters are not currently available. Hence, TP gives them a longer timeframe of up to three and a half years.

2. TP is working with Authorised Motor Distributors, the Motor Traders Association of Singapore, as well as the relevant Government agencies, to encourage lorry owners to install speed limiters on their lorries ahead of the compliance deadline, such as when their vehicles are sent in for regular maintenance.