Road safety in Singapore has been moving in the wrong direction. According to the Traffic Police’s annual report for 2025, traffic deaths rose from 139 in 2024 to 147 in 2025, and accidents causing injury rose by about 7% to 7,560. Speeding violations climbed by 25.9% to 253,550, and accidents involving red-light running rose by 27.1%. Drink-driving accidents were one of the few categories to fall, by 6%.
This follows a similar rise the year before. Speeding violations had already jumped by about 65% in 2024 to a ten-year high, and drink driving also continues to be an area of concern.
Motorcyclists and elderly pedestrians continue to be the most vulnerable road user groups in Singapore. Motorcyclists and their pillion riders accounted for more than half of traffic deaths in 2025, and seniors made up 75% of pedestrian deaths.
As a result of these worrying trends the Traffic Police continue to take ever stricter enforcement action, and the penalties themselves have gone up. Below are some of the most common offences and the potential penalties one might face.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- 12 June 2025 (in force). Mandatory minimum prison terms and disqualification were removed for first-time offenders who cause death or grievous hurt by dangerous or careless driving, and a Traffic Police suspension now lasts until the court case and any appeal are over.
- 1 January 2026 (in force). Speeding composition fines and demerit points went up. Offences in School Zones, Silver Zones and Friendly Streets now attract two extra demerit points and an extra $100 on the composition fine (capped at $500 in total). An Early Payment Scheme also started: pay a composition fine of $50 or more within 14 days of the Notice of Traffic Offence and it is reduced by $30 (locally registered vehicles only, no extension).
- 4 August 2026 (passed, not yet in force). Parliament passed the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2026. It will lower the drink-driving limits, make it an offence simply to hold a mobile phone while the vehicle is moving, create an offence of driving with drugs in your blood, and allow automated camera enforcement. At the time of writing (30 October 2026), we have not seen a commencement date.
- 1 January 2027 (announced). The demerit points threshold for a licence suspension falls from 24 to 18, and the Safe Driving Course is withdrawn. See the demerit points section below.
(1) Speeding
The offence
Exceeding the posted speed limit is the single most frequent traffic violation in Singapore, which is backed up by the statistics shared earlier in our article. Speed limits vary depending on road type, school zones, and expressways.
Penalties
Penalties depend on how much the speed limit is exceeded. Since 1 January 2026, for cars and other light vehicles (composition fines):
- Up to 20 km/h over: $200 + 6 demerit points
- More than 20 and up to 30 km/h: $300 + 8 points
- More than 30 and up to 40 km/h: $400 + 12 points
- More than 40 and up to 50 km/h: court prosecution + 18 points
- More than 50 km/h: court prosecution + 24 points
Heavy vehicles pay $250, $400 and $500 for the first three bands.
Serious speeding cases may result in:
- A court fine of up to $1,000, or up to three months’ imprisonment, or both, for a first conviction, with heavier penalties for repeat offenders
- Driving disqualification
- A dangerous driving charge, if the speed was combined with driving that endangered others
Our article on speeding penalties in Singapore covers speed limits, school and silver zones, and the demerit points system in more detail.
(2) Using a Mobile Phone While Driving
The offence
Using a handheld mobile phone while driving, including texting, scrolling, or holding the phone to make a call, is illegal.
Hands-free use is allowed, but drivers must still maintain proper control of the vehicle.
Under the 2026 amendments passed by Parliament (not yet in force), simply holding a mobile communication device in your hand while the vehicle is moving will be an offence, without the need to prove that you were operating it. This covers phones, tablets and smart watches. A device in a mount, or holding a device while the vehicle is stationary, will not be an offence, though touching a mounted device can still lead to a careless or dangerous driving charge if it distracts you. The Traffic Police will be able to enforce this using cameras and photos or videos submitted by the public.
Penalties
- Composition fine: $400 (light vehicle) or $500 (heavy vehicle), with 12 demerit points
- If prosecuted in court: a fine of up to $1,000 (first offence)
- Or imprisonment up to 6 months
- Repeat offences: higher fines and longer jail terms
This is treated seriously because distracted driving significantly increases accident risk.
(3) Drink Driving
The offence
Driving while above the prescribed alcohol limit, which is currently:
- 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath
- 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood
Parliament has passed amendments lowering these limits to 15 micrograms per 100ml of breath and 30mg per 100ml of blood. They will apply once the amendments come into force. You can also be convicted if you are so affected by drink or drugs that you cannot properly control the vehicle, whatever your reading.
Penalties (First Offence)
- Fine: $2,000 to $10,000
- Or imprisonment up to 12 months
- Or both
- Mandatory driving disqualification (minimum 2 years)
Repeat offenders face:
- Mandatory imprisonment of up to 2 years
- And a fine of $5,000 to $20,000
- Disqualification of at least 5 years for a second offence, and for life on a third
If drink driving causes injury or death, far more serious charges apply. Our article on drink driving in Singapore explains the sentencing ranges by alcohol level.
(4) Running a Red Light
The offence
Failing to stop at a red traffic signal or amber light when stopping is reasonably possible.
Penalties
- Composition fine: $400 (light vehicle) or $500 (heavy vehicle)
- 12 demerit points
- Court prosecution may apply if the offence causes danger or an accident.
Red-light cameras are widely deployed across Singapore. In a School Zone, Silver Zone or Friendly Street, two extra demerit points and an extra $100 apply.
(5) Careless or Reckless Driving
The offence
Careless Driving: Driving without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other road users (e.g., unsafe lane changes, tailgating).
Reckless / Dangerous Driving: Driving in a manner that is objectively dangerous to the public (e.g., racing, extreme speeding).
Penalties
Careless Driving (without injury):
- Fine up to $1,500
- Or jail up to 6 months
- Or both
- Repeat offenders: fine up to $3,000, jail up to 1 year, or both
Careless driving that endangers life may be compounded with a $200 fine ($250 for heavy vehicles) and 6 demerit points. Careless driving causing hurt carries 9 demerit points.
If injury or death is caused (first offence):
- Hurt: fine up to $2,500, jail up to 1 year, or both
- Grievous hurt: fine up to $5,000, jail up to 2 years, or both
- Death: fine up to $10,000, jail up to 3 years, or both
- Possible disqualification, which is mandatory for repeat offenders who cause grievous hurt (at least 5 years) or death (at least 8 years)
Reckless/Dangerous Driving:
- Heavier fines
- Longer jail terms
- Lengthy driving bans
- 24 demerit points
See our article on dangerous or reckless driving in Singapore for the full penalty ranges, including the extra penalties where the driver had been drinking.
(6) Driving Without Insurance
The offence
All vehicles must have valid third-party motor insurance.
Penalties
- Fine up to $1,000
- Or imprisonment up to 3 months
- Mandatory driving disqualification
(7) Driving Without a Valid Licence
This includes:
- Never having obtained a licence
- Driving while suspended
- Driving while disqualified
- Driving outside licence class
Penalties
Driving without a valid licence, or while disqualified:
- Fine up to $10,000
- Jail up to 3 years
- Or both
- Repeat offenders: fine up to $20,000, jail up to 6 years, or both, and the vehicle forfeited
- Disqualification from holding a licence
Driving while under suspension: fine up to $5,000, jail up to 2 years, or both (up to $10,000 and 4 years for repeat offenders).
(8) Failing to Wear Seatbelts
Applies to both drivers and passengers (where seatbelts are installed). The driver is responsible for making sure every passenger wears a seatbelt, and that a passenger under 1.35 metres tall is secured in an approved child restraint or body-restraining seatbelt.
Penalties
- Composition fine: $150 (light vehicle) or $200 (heavy vehicle)
- 3 demerit points
(9) Illegal Parking Offences
Common examples:
- Parking on double yellow lines
- Parking at bus stops
- Obstructing traffic
- Parking in disabled lots without authorisation
Penalties
- Fines vary (often $70 to $130+)
- Wheel clamping / towing in serious cases
(10) Hit and Run / Failure to Stop After Accident
Drivers must stop, provide particulars, and report certain accidents within 24 hours.
Penalties
- Fine up to $3,000
- Jail up to 12 months
- Driving disqualification
Demerit Points System (DIPS)
Singapore uses the Driver Improvement Points System:
- Points accumulate per offence
- 24 points within 24 months: suspension (for experienced drivers with no previous suspension)
- 13 points within the first year: licence revoked (for probationary drivers)
Suspension periods increase for repeat cases.
From 1 January 2027, under changes announced by the Traffic Police on 31 July 2026:
- Experienced drivers will be suspended at 18 points instead of 24, and a first suspension will last four months instead of 12 weeks
- Probationary drivers will have their licence revoked at 12 points instead of 13
- Speeding by more than 50 km/h, and reckless or dangerous driving, will carry 18 points instead of 24
- The Safe Driving Course, which removed 4 points, is discontinued (no new offers since 1 August 2026; existing offers must be used by 31 December 2026)
- A one-time deduction of up to 6 points (1 point for probationary drivers) will be applied to points held on 31 December 2026
Why Enforcement Is So Strict
Singapore’s strict traffic regime aims to:
- Reduce fatalities and injuries
- Deter reckless behaviour
- Maintain road discipline
- Protect vulnerable road users
Government data has consistently shown that speeding, drink driving, and red-light violations are among the top contributors to serious accidents hence the heavy penalties. The 2026 penalties and the 2027 changes to demerit points show that the direction of travel is towards stricter enforcement.
Common questions
How do I pay a traffic fine in Singapore? Through the Singapore Police Force’s e-services, using the details on your Notice of Traffic Offence. If you pay a composition fine of $50 or more within 14 days of the notice date, it is reduced by $30 under the Early Payment Scheme.
What happens if I don’t pay a composition fine? The offer of composition lapses and you may be summoned to court for the offence, where the fine can be higher than the composition amount.
How long do demerit points last? Points are cleared if you stay offence-free for 12 months from your last offence. A suspension depends on the points you accumulate within 24 months.
Do traffic offences give me a criminal record? Offences settled by composition do not. A conviction in court is a different matter, and serious driving offences can appear on your record. If you have been charged, speak to a criminal defence lawyer before you decide how to plead.