{"id":32265,"date":"2026-02-28T03:33:38","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T19:33:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=32265"},"modified":"2026-02-28T03:33:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T19:33:38","slug":"spore-to-tighten-demerit-points-system-lower-alcohol-limits-amid-surge-in-road-traffic-deaths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=32265","title":{"rendered":"S\u2019pore to tighten demerit points system, lower alcohol limits amid surge in road traffic deaths"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE \u2013 <!-- -->The alcohol limit determining drink driving will be more than halved, and the authorities are looking to reduce the maximum number of demerit points that can be accumulated to make it easier to suspend reckless drivers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Announcing these moves on Feb 27, Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann said the road <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/courts-crime\/road-traffic-fatalities-hit-10-year-high-in-2025-with-149-dead-elderly-deaths-more-than-double?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">traffic situation here is deteriorating<\/p>\n<p><\/a>, and changes are needed to arrest this.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Road traffic deaths hit a 10-year high in 2025, with 149 deaths compared with 141 in 2016.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The number of elderly folk who died more than doubled from 11 in 2024 to 27 in 2025. All were pedestrians.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In her speech during the debate on the Ministry of Home Affairs\u2019 (MHA) budget, Ms Sim said lowering the alcohol limit for drink-driving offences is one such change that will be made to address the worsening road traffic situation.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Singapore lowering drink driving limit in line with other jurisdictions in Asia\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LOY_ZblDIxY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The drink-driving limit today is 35 micrograms (mcg) of alcohol per 100ml of breath, and has remained unchanged since it was introduced in 1985. <\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">This is more than double that of Japan and Taiwan, which have limits equivalent to 15mcg.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Sim said the outdated laws in Singapore will be changed, with the limit to be lowered to 15mcg of alcohol per 100ml of breath.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Legislative changes will be made later this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The Driver Improvement Points System, more commonly known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/more-demerit-points-higher-fines-for-speeding-offences-from-jan-1-2026-mha?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">the demerit points system<\/p>\n<p><\/a>, will also be tightened.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Sim said MHA is considering reducing the number of demerit points that can be accumulated before a driver is suspended, and also increasing the length of the suspension period.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">This means errant drivers may be suspended sooner and for a longer period of time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cWe will not decide on this lightly, but it may be necessary in order to arrest the deteriorating situation, increase deterrence and keep dangerous motorists off the roads,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She added that the authorities are also concerned over violations involving foreign-registered vehicles, and will be announcing details on several measures to strengthen deterrence and enforcement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She also said penalties should be higher in cases where a driver puts another person in danger on purpose, and that this will be studied with a view to introducing a new offence to tackle such behaviour, with a higher maximum penalty.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Sim said it is possible to achieve zero road fatalities, and Singapore should aim for this.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She noted that Finland\u2019s capital Helsinki recorded zero road fatalities during a one-year period from July 2024 to July 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The Nordic country is a strong proponent of Vision Zero, which aims to eliminate all traffic deaths and serious injuries.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The idea of zero road deaths was <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/transport\/singapore-should-aim-for-zero-road-death-says-safety-champion?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">brought up in 2022 by the Singapore Road Safety Council<\/p>\n<p><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Sim said: \u201cThere is no reason why we cannot aspire to zero road fatalities here in Singapore. But it requires collective recognition that our road culture needs to change.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She said that if one asks any group of road users, they would likely say the problem is with the others.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cWhen we talk to drivers, they will point out that motorcyclists or cyclists or pedestrians are at fault. If we talk to motorcyclists, we are likely to be told that it is the drivers who are the problem, and so on and so forth,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cIt can be all too easy to disregard traffic rules or the needs of other road users, especially when we are rushing for time. Giving way does not seem to come as naturally to us as making sure that we do not concede any advantage to other road users. Can we do better?\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She said all road users, like drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, mobility device users and pedestrians, will have to be part of the change.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She also spoke about how the Home Team will be leveraging technology to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/politics\/mha-allows-hiring-auxiliary-cops-from-china-india-prison-trying-sensors-to-monitor-inmates-health?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">deal with manpower constraints<\/p>\n<p><\/a> and evolving security challenges.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The Singapore Prison Service will be trialling a robot in the first quarter of 2026, to support officers during patrols and yard supervision, she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Named Protect, the robot is able to patrol autonomously and can be remotely operated to handle potential hazards during incidents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">For the Singapore Civil Defence Force, Ms Sim said it will be rolling out SG Alert from May. This is a dedicated mass emergency alert system that can broadcast emergency alerts to mobile phones islandwide, or within specific geographical zones.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">No additional app download is needed to receive such notifications.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Sim also spoke about new Home Team initiatives involving artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The Central Narcotics Bureau\u2019s NarcoNet is an AI platform that helps with investigations by making sense of evidence and preparing the necessary documents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority\u2019s Matrix helps examine documents and extract data, with AI easing manual checks of documents submitted to the authority.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Sim gave an update on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/ai-chatbot-r-cop-to-be-launched-by-oct-1-to-help-public-lodge-clearer-police-reports-to-save-time?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">R-Cop, the police\u2019s AI chatbot<\/p>\n<p><\/a> that helps the public lodge clearer police reports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She said that since its roll-out in October 2025, over 90 per cent of users have given positive feedback, and so it will be rolled out to more kiosks by mid-2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">R-Cop and other police technologies have led to the merging of several neighbourhood police centres as resources are redeployed more efficiently.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"landscape inline-media-wrapper\" data-testid=\"inline-media-test-id\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-start relative w-fit\"><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/8dc0304271d578a5eb76a082d20c6b58fc0aeb7aa072336a49d971e9295c1bfc?w=480\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 720px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/8dc0304271d578a5eb76a082d20c6b58fc0aeb7aa072336a49d971e9295c1bfc?w=720\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 721px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/8dc0304271d578a5eb76a082d20c6b58fc0aeb7aa072336a49d971e9295c1bfc?w=900\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/straitstimes\/8dc0304271d578a5eb76a082d20c6b58fc0aeb7aa072336a49d971e9295c1bfc\" alt=\"\" class=\"aspect-landscape flex items-start shrink-0 object-cover landscape article-landscape mobile:w-auto tablet:w-auto\" data-testid=\"image-test-id\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/picture><\/div><figcaption class=\"mobile:mx-16 tablet:mx-00 flex flex-col gap-08 py-16 desktop:pb-24\">\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-secondary\" data-testid=\"inline-media-caption-test-id\">R-Cop, the police\u2019s AI chatbot that helps the public lodge clearer police reports, will be rolled out to more kiosks by mid-2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-eyebrow-baseline-regular text-placeholder\" data-testid=\"inline-media-credit-test-id\">PHOTO: ST FILE<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Sim said there are plans for more such mergers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">She said that while the Home Team presses ahead with AI, it is mindful that AI solutions must be trustworthy and delivered responsibly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">As such, the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) will develop a proof of concept for a centralised AI governance testing and monitoring platform this year to automate AI governance checks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/home-team-tech-agency-ramps-up-hiring-and-keeps-flexi-work-amid-global-techlash?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular inline\" data-testid=\"paragraph-test-id\">HTX\u2019s AI specialist workforce<\/p>\n<p><\/a> has grown to 250 as at end-2025, and is on track to reach 400 by end-2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"font-body-baseline-regular text-primary\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Ms Sim said: \u201cThe Home Team increasingly has to do more with less. That is why we must fully exploit the opportunities today\u2019s technology affords us. Doing so allows us to maintain high levels of effectiveness, to continue to keep Singapore safe and secure.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/politics\/spore-to-tighten-demerit-points-system-lower-alcohol-limits-amid-worsening-road-traffic-situation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE \u2013 The alcohol limit determining drink driving will be more than halved, and the authorities are looking to reduce the maximum number of demerit&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":32267,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=32265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32265\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/32267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}