SINGAPORE: The number of traffic-related deaths and injuries in Singapore reached a five-year high in 2024, with speeding identified as a key contributor, the Traffic Police (TP) reported on 21 February.
A total of 142 people lost their lives in accidents in 2024, an increase from 136 deaths in 2023.
The number of injuries also rose from 8,941 in 2023 to 9,302 in 2024.
Among the 139 fatal accidents in 2024, 46 were linked to speeding.
This means that speeding contributed to one in three fatal crashes, compared to one in four in 2023.
TP figures showed that the increase in fatalities coincided with a sharp rise in speeding violations.
There was a 64.8 per cent surge in speeding offences in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Rising speeding violations
In 2024, traffic enforcement cameras caught 100,720 speeding violations—more than double the number recorded in 2023.
About one in ten of these offences were detected by red-light cameras, after TP activated their speed-enforcement functions in April 2024.
Despite the presence of conspicuously marked cameras and clearly displayed warning signs, many motorists continued to flout speed limits.
TP commander and Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) of Police Daniel Tan expressed concern over the lack of compliance.
“It’s a bleak situation; we’re definitely concerned. On all counts, in terms of accidents, injuries, and fatal accidents, numbers have gone up,” SAC Tan said.
Tougher penalties for speeding from 2026
To curb speeding violations, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam earlier announced on 15 February that Singapore will impose stricter penalties for speeding, including increased demerit points and composition fines.
TP said from 1 January 2026, composition fines for such offences will increase by between S$50 and S$150, while demerit points will rise by up to six points.
Further details on these penalties will be announced later in 2025.
SAC Tan noted that when new enforcement measures are introduced, violations tend to rise initially before driver behaviour changes.
“For some locations, we saw a spike in the number (of speeding violations), and then over the next few months, the numbers went down. The chance of getting caught plays a big part,” he said.
TP said more red-light cameras with speed enforcement functions will be progressively activated, especially at high-accident locations. Police enforcement against speeding will also be ramped up.
Increase in drink-driving cases despite fewer accidents
The number of people arrested for drink-driving rose by 6.9 per cent to 1,778 cases in 2024.
However, drink-driving-related accidents fell from 180 cases in 2023 to 166 in 2024.
Despite this decline, fatal drink-driving accidents increased from 11 cases in 2023 to 12 in 2024.
Rise in motorcyclist fatalities as deaths surge from 68 to 85 in 2024
Fatalities among motorcyclists and pillion riders increased significantly in 2024, with 85 deaths compared to 68 in 2023.
While motorcycles make up only 14.7 per cent of Singapore’s total vehicle population, their riders accounted for more than half of all traffic accident fatalities.
Elderly pedestrians also remain a key concern. Although the number of accidents involving elderly pedestrians dropped from 228 cases in 2023 to 199 in 2024, fatal accidents in this group halved to 11 cases.
However, the elderly continued to be disproportionately represented in pedestrian deaths, making up 44 per cent of such fatalities despite constituting just 12.5 per cent of Singapore’s population.
Fatal jaywalking cases rise, with elderly pedestrians making up nearly 40% of deaths
Jaywalking accidents increased by 23 per cent, rising from 288 cases in 2023 to 353 in 2024.
Fatal jaywalking accidents also increased from 16 to 18 cases, with elderly pedestrians accounting for 38.9 per cent of such cases.
SAC Tan advised pedestrians to practise defensive behaviour.
“They should not assume that they are safe when crossing the road on a green man, as there may be distracted drivers around,” he cautioned.
Call for behavioural change among motorists
While TP continues to tighten enforcement, SAC Tan stressed that a shift in driver attitude is necessary.
“Every time you get behind the wheel of a car or the handlebar of a motorbike, you actually have the potential to cost the lives of others,” he warned.
He also pointed to a positive trend in red-light violations, where increased enforcement led to a decline in offences.
The number of red-light running accidents fell by 14.3 per cent to 96 cases in 2024, while fatal accidents from red-light running dropped from eight in 2023 to six in 2024.
Red-light violations also declined by 11.9 per cent to 28,965 cases.
More enforcement and education efforts ahead
TP said it will continue expanding its enforcement measures to address key concerns such as speeding, jaywalking, and motorcyclist safety.
SAC Tan emphasised that enforcement alone is not enough, and drivers must recognise the responsibility they have on the roads.
“TP is going to do our part and we will take perpetrators to task. But all of us have to go upstream to make sure these things don’t happen in the first place,” he said.
In April last year, a six-vehicle crash at the junction of Tampines Avenue 1 and Avenue 4 shocked the entire city-state.
The tragedy claimed the lives of a 17-year-old student, a passenger in one of the cars, and a 57-year-old woman traveling in a van.
The driver responsible for the crash has since been charged. The incident has sparked calls for stricter penalties against reckless driving.
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