Enhanced Penalties for Speeding Offences in Singapore: A Government Initiative
On May 28, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced a significant update regarding traffic regulations in Singapore, specifically targeting speeding offences. This initiative aims to enhance road safety by implementing stricter penalties, including increased demerit points and higher composition fines for motorists who violate speed limits.
Background on Road Safety Concerns
The MHA’s decision comes in light of alarming statistics regarding road safety. Over the past five years, there has been a consistent rise in both fatal and injury-related accidents. In 2024 alone, Singapore recorded 7,188 road accidents, resulting in 142 fatalities. Speeding has been identified as a major contributor to these incidents, with the number of speeding violations reaching a decade-high of nearly 192,000 cases—an increase of 64.8% compared to the previous year. Furthermore, speeding-related fatal accidents surged by 43.8%, rising from 32 cases in 2023 to 46 in 2024.
Details of the Enhanced Penalties
| Current and Enhanced Demerit Points and Compositions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exceed vehicular/ road speed limit by (in km/h) | Current Demerit Points | Enhanced Demerit Points | Current Composition Sum | Enhanced Composition Sum | ||
| Light Vehicle | Heavy Vehicle | Light Vehicle | Heavy Vehicle | |||
| ≤ 20 | 4 | 6 | $150 | $200 | $200 | $250 |
| > 20 to ≤ 30 | 6 | 8 | $200 | $250 | $300 | $400 |
| > 30 to ≤ 40 | 8 | 12 | $300 | $400 | $400 | $500 |
| > 40 to ≤ 50 | 12 | 18 | Prosecution in court | Prosecution in court | ||
| > 50 to ≤ 60 | 18 | 24* | Prosecution in court | Prosecution in court | ||
| > 60 | 24* | 24* | Prosecution in court | Prosecution in court | ||
To address these issues, the MHA will implement a new penalty structure effective January 1, 2026. The changes include:
- Increased Demerit Points: Motorists exceeding speed limits will face additional demerit points. For instance, those caught speeding by up to 20 km/h will now receive six demerit points instead of four. The penalties escalate significantly for higher speeds, with those exceeding the limit by 41 to 50 km/h facing 18 demerit points, up from 12. Â Â
- Higher Composition Fines: The composition fines for speeding offences will also see an increase, ranging from 50to150 depending on the severity of the violation and the type of vehicle involved. For example, light vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 20 km/h will incur a fine of 200,upfrom150.  Â
- License Suspension: Accumulating 24 demerit points within a two-year period will result in the suspension of the driver’s license. Â Â
Commitment to Road Safety
The MHA emphasizes that these enhanced penalties reflect its commitment to maintaining road safety in Singapore. The ministry urges all motorists to adhere to speed limits and drive responsibly, highlighting that road safety is a shared responsibility among all road users.
In conclusion, the MHA’s initiative to enhance penalties for speeding offences is a proactive measure aimed at curbing reckless driving behaviors and improving overall road safety. As the new regulations take effect in 2026, motorists are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the changes and prioritize safe driving practices.