The number of road traffic accidents and casualties in Singapore rose in the first half of 2025, continuing an upward trend observed over the past three years.
According to mid-year statistics released by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) on 29 August, total traffic accidents resulting in injuries and fatalities increased by 8.9 per cent to 3,818, up from 3,507 in the same period in 2024.
Fatal accidents rose by 11.4 per cent to 78 cases, while the total number of fatalities climbed from 72 to 79.
Overall, 4,939 people were injured or killed in road traffic incidents, compared with 4,737 in the same period last year.
Vulnerable road users disproportionately affected
The SPF highlighted that motorcyclists, pillion riders and elderly pedestrians aged 65 and above continue to account for a disproportionate share of fatalities.
Accidents involving elderly pedestrians increased to 116 in the first half of 2025, compared with 98 last year.
Among them, 15 elderly pedestrians lost their lives, up from six.
This group represented 78.9 per cent of all pedestrian deaths in the period.
The police noted that jaywalking accounted for 43.1 per cent of elderly pedestrian accidents.
Authorities called on family members, caregivers and friends to play a stronger role in reminding the elderly about safe road practices.
Motorcyclists and pillion riders were involved in 2,088 accidents, up from 1,907 in 2024.
Although fatalities among this group decreased slightly to 43 from 44, they still made up 54.4 per cent of all road deaths.
A total of 2,323 were injured, representing over half of all traffic accident victims.
The main causes of motorcycle accidents were identified as failing to keep a proper lookout, poor vehicle control and unsafe lane changes.
To address safety concerns, traffic police announced upcoming changes to motorcycle helmet standards, aligning with international practices, and pledged to streamline helmet testing and certification.
Speeding and red-light violations
Speeding violations surged by 45.5 per cent to 118,076 cases.
This was attributed to more speed enforcement cameras, expanded enforcement operations and the activation of red-light cameras’ speed functions from April 2024.
Despite the rise in violations, speeding-related accidents dropped to 236 from 269, and fatal speeding-related accidents decreased to 15 from 25.
Red-light running offences declined from 17,508 to 13,073, while fatal accidents linked to such offences fell from five to four.
However, accidents caused by red-light running increased by 38.3 per cent to 65 cases.
From 1 January 2026, composition sums and demerit points for speeding offences will rise. The SPF warned that motorists who commit severe offences risk licence suspension or revocation.
Measures to improve safety
The SPF also provided updates on lorry speed limiters.
Newly fitted lorries recorded nearly zero speeding violations in the first half of 2025, compared with 641 violations among vehicles without the devices.
By mid-August, 40.5 per cent of lorries required to install speed limiters in the first phase had done so, ahead of the 1 January 2026 deadline.
The police urged companies to avoid last-minute installations due to limited workshop capacity.
Drink-driving accidents fell by 18.5 per cent to 75, with fatal drink-driving cases dropping from nine to four.
However, arrests for drink-driving rose by 5.4 per cent to 862.
To strengthen enforcement, new traffic violation cameras will be tested before a gradual islandwide rollout.
These will target offences such as illegal U-turns and crossing double white lines. The devices will be painted in orange and white to ensure visibility.
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