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LTA proposes tighter rules for deregistered cars amid rise in illegal use on roads
SG🏛️ PoliticsCenter2 days ago

LTA proposes tighter rules for deregistered cars amid rise in illegal use on roads

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore is proposing a new scheme called the Authorised Exporter Scheme (AES) to address the increasing number of deregistered vehicles being driven illegally on public roads. Under this proposal, vehicle owners would transfer responsibility for deregistered cars to authorized exporters, who would handle proper disposal and provide proof to the LTA. The LTA aims to expedite the disbursement of residual rebates from the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) and Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) by reducing the current waiting period for dealers. Currently, owners must notify the LTA within 30 days of deregistration that the vehicle has been properly disposed of. However, the LTA has identified a rise in cases of deregistered vehicles being driven on roads, with 122 incidents reported in the first five months of 2026, nearly double the number in 2024. Offenders face fines up to $20,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses. The LTA has consulted with industry stakeholders and plans to provide further details before implementing the scheme, offering a transition period of at least one year.

Singapore is set to roll out a new AI-powered system designed to detect motorists violating traffic rules, including driving in bus lanes. The system, developed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), will utilise video footage captured by cameras installed on buses to monitor and identify rule-breaking behaviour. The rollout is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026, with plans to expand the technology to all bus routes by 2030. During initial trials, the system demonstrated an average accuracy rate of approximately 90 per cent. Four buses spanning a total distance of 126 kilometres were equipped with the Video Analytics AI system for testing purposes. These buses recorded an average of seven instances of vehicle encroachment into bus lanes each day. Over the past three years, from 2023 to 2025, the LTA issued an annual average of 36,800 summonses related to bus lane violations. LTA deputy director for innovation and analytics, Germain Tay, highlighted the system's ability to detect not only vehicles entering bus lanes but also illegal parking, road defects, and non-compliant roadworks. He noted that this technology aims to enhance road safety by identifying potential hazards more efficiently than traditional methods. Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling emphasized the importance of reducing such violations, stating that they pose a risk to both drivers and passengers. She explained that sudden braking by bus drivers to avoid collisions with vehicles in the bus lane could lead to dangerous situations. This concern was raised during her speech at the annual public transport safety and security awards ceremony held on August 21. In addition to addressing traffic rule violations, Sun outlined several initiatives aimed at improving overall safety. A pilot program introduced audio safety announcements on 11 bus routes since August 2025, reminding commuters to hold onto hand grips and grab poles before departure. She announced plans to implement an automated version of these safety features starting in 2027. The ceremony also celebrated the achievements of over 5,364 bus drivers who maintained accident-free records for varying periods, from one to ten years. Drivers received safe driving badges and cash rewards ranging from $200 to $2,000. Veteran driver Ang Chai Kee, who has served for 30 years without incident, expressed the importance of ensuring passenger safety and timely arrivals. Sun further mentioned that the Bus Safety Tripartite Taskforce had completed its review in 2025, and its recommendations are currently being implemented. About 99 per cent of all bus drivers have completed the Bus Captain Drive Safe Refresher Programme, with the remaining expected to finish by October. Adjustments to driving schedules on certain long routes aim to reduce driver fatigue and improve safety through route modifications or mid-route driver swaps. Awards were presented to 60 public transport workers for preventing security incidents and 190 individuals and teams for developing innovative tools to enhance transport safety. The ongoing bus safety roadshow at One Punggol continues to promote public awareness and engagement with transportation safety measures.

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The Straits Times logoThe Straits TimesParty-aligned🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 802 days ago
LTA proposes tighter rules for deregistered cars amid rise in illegal use on roads

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore is proposing a new scheme called the Authorised Exporter Scheme (AES) to address the increasing number of deregistered vehicles being driven illegally on public roads. Under this proposal, vehicle owners would transfer responsibility for deregistered cars to authorized exporters, who would handle proper disposal and provide proof to the LTA. The LTA aims to expedite the disbursement of residual rebates from the Certificate of Entitlement (COE) and Preferential Additional Registration Fee (PARF) by reducing the current waiting period for dealers. Currently, owners must notify the LTA within 30 days of deregistration that the vehicle has been properly disposed of. However, the LTA has identified a rise in cases of deregistered vehicles being driven on roads, with 122 incidents reported in the first five months of 2026, nearly double the number in 2024. Offenders face fines up to $20,000 or imprisonment for up to two years, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses. The LTA has consulted with industry stakeholders and plans to provide further details before implementing the scheme, offering a transition period of at least one year.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the LTA’s proposal as a regulatory measure aimed at improving road safety and enforcement, without overtly endorsing or criticizing specific political groups or ideologies. It provides factual information about the proposed scheme, its background, and potential impacts, without傾

Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed information about the LTA's proposed Authorised Exporter Scheme (AES), including the rationale behind the policy change, current procedures, and statistics on illegal use of deregistered vehicles. It cites specific numbers from LTA reports and mentions a recent case und

Why objectivity (80): The article presents the policy changes and their implications in a neutral manner, focusing on facts and figures. However, it briefly mentions a specific legal case involving a 22-year-old man, which may introduce some level of narrative or emphasis, though not overtly biased. Overall, the tone rem

The Straits Times logoThe Straits TimesParty-aligned🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 782 days ago
New AI-powered system to help detect motorists flouting traffic rules like driving in bus lanes

Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) is introducing an AI-powered system to monitor and detect motorists violating traffic rules, such as driving in bus lanes. The system, using video footage from buses, will be deployed in phases starting in Q4 2026 and aims to cover all bus routes by 2030. During trials, the system achieved an average accuracy of 90%, identifying around seven vehicles daily encroaching into bus lanes. The LTA reported issuing approximately 36,800 summonses annually for such violations between 2023 and 2025. Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling emphasized that reducing these incidents would enhance road safety by preventing sudden braking by bus drivers. Additionally, the LTA announced plans to implement automated safety announcements on buses starting in 2027. At the same event, over 5,300 bus drivers were recognized for maintaining accident-free records, with some receiving cash rewards up to $2,000.

Bias read (Center): The article presents information about a government-led initiative to improve road safety through technology, without overtly favoring any political ideology. It reports on the LTA's efforts, quotes officials neutrally, and discusses technical details without ideological slant. While the topic is a政

Why factuality (85): The article provides specific details about the AI-powered system being developed by Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA), including trial results, implementation timeline, and quotes from officials. These details align with typical reporting on government initiatives and are consistent with c

Why objectivity (78): The article presents information in a neutral tone but includes quotes from officials that frame the initiative as beneficial for public safety. While not overtly biased, the emphasis on positive outcomes and the inclusion of quotes from high-ranking officials may subtly favor the government's persp

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