154 summonses issued to commercial vehicle drivers for offences including speeding

Starting January 1, 2027, Singapore will implement a stricter demerit points system for motorists, reducing the threshold for license suspension from 24 points to 18 points over a 24-month period. For probationary drivers, the threshold will drop from 13 points in 12 months to 12 points. These changes aim to enhance road safety by removing reckless drivers from the roads more quickly and for longer durations. The policy shift follows a rise in road fatalities, reaching a 10-year high of 149 in 2025, compared to 141 in 2016. Injuries also increased, rising from 9,342 in 2024 to 9,955 in 2025. The new regime introduces harsher penalties for repeat offenders. A non-probationary driver accumulating 18 points, such as through speeding and running a red light, will face immediate suspension. Similarly, probationary drivers receiving 12 points for offenses like using a mobile device while driving will see their licenses revoked instantly. The police cited these adjustments as necessary to address worsening road conditions and to encourage safer driving habits among all motorists. Suspension periods will also be extended significantly. First-time suspensions will last four months instead of the current 12 weeks. Second-time suspensions will extend to six months, up from 24 weeks. Third-time suspensions will last two years, and any further suspensions will result in five-year bans. These changes reflect the intent to penalize habitual offenders more severely and reduce the likelihood of repeated violations. To ease the transition, a one-time demerit point deduction will be implemented. Non-probationary drivers will receive up to six points waived, while probationary drivers get one point waived. However, this adjustment applies only to violations committed before 2027. Any unused deductions cannot be carried forward for future infractions. For instance, a non-probationary driver with four points on December 31, 2026, will have those points waived by January 1, 2027. If they commit another offense in 2027, they will start fresh with six points. Modifications to the DIPS Retraining Course will also take effect in 2027. Previously available to those suspended up to twice, the course will now be limited to first-time suspensions. Completion of the course will reduce the suspension period from four months to six weeks. Meanwhile, the Safe Driving Course, which allowed eligible drivers to remove four points if not suspended, will be discontinued due to its low participation rate of 15 percent as of 2025. Drivers who have received invitations to the course must complete it by December 31, 2025. The changes to the demerit points system include revisions to penalty points for specific offenses. Common violations such as failing to wear a seatbelt or exceeding speed limits by varying degrees will carry different point values. Offenses previously assigned 24 points, such as excessive speeding, will now carry 18 points. The police emphasized that the new thresholds eliminate the need for assigning more than 18 points for any single offense, streamlining enforcement and ensuring consistency in penalties. These adjustments align with broader efforts to improve road safety in Singapore. By implementing stricter demerit points and longer suspension periods, authorities aim to create a safer environment for all road users. The changes also reflect concerns raised by vocational drivers and transport unions regarding potential impacts on livelihoods, prompting the introduction of a one-time point deduction to mitigate adverse effects on affected individuals. As the new system takes effect in 2027, drivers will need to adjust their behavior to avoid accumulating points that could lead to suspension or revocation of their licenses.