Singapore has passed new legislation making it an offence for motorists to hold a mobile phone while driving, even if they are not actively using it. However, the debate in Parliament has also sparked questions over whether other in-car technologies, including mounted devices, infotainment screens and the On-Board Unit (OBU), could pose similar distractions.
The amendments to the Road Traffic Act were passed on 4 August after more than five hours of debate involving 26 Members of Parliament (MPs) and one Nominated MP. The revised law aims to strengthen enforcement against distracted driving by prohibiting drivers from holding mobile communication devices whenever their vehicles are in motion.
Previously, authorities needed to prove that a driver was actively using a handheld phone for activities such as making calls or sending messages before an offence could be established. Under the new rules, merely holding the device while driving is sufficient to constitute an offence.
Second Minister for Home Affairs Sim Ann said the previous requirement was difficult to enforce and stressed that handheld mobile devices naturally divert a driver’s visual and mental attention away from the road.
Mounted Devices And Digital Screens Under Scrutiny
While the legislation clearly bans holding mobile phones, it does not prohibit drivers from interacting with phones secured in approved mounts.
However, several MPs questioned whether this distinction fully addresses the broader issue of driver distraction.
Workers’ Party MP Dennis Tan pointed out that modern vehicles now contain numerous potential distractions beyond smartphones, including large infotainment displays, digital dashboards, smartwatches and multiple mounted devices.
He argued that if policymakers focus only on handheld phones without considering increasingly complex vehicle interiors, they may be tackling only part of the problem.
Mr Tan also suggested the Government study whether certain touchscreen functions or app-based features should be restricted while vehicles are moving, similar to measures adopted in some overseas jurisdictions.
Workers’ Party MP He Ting Ru likewise sought clarification on how activities such as scrolling through social media, watching videos or making video calls using built-in vehicle systems would be treated under existing regulations.
Concerns Raised For Private-Hire Drivers
Several MPs also highlighted the practical impact on taxi and private-hire drivers, many of whom rely heavily on smartphone navigation throughout the day.
Labour MP Wan Rizal proposed greater education efforts to ensure platform workers understand the updated rules.
PAP MP Lee Hui Ying suggested closer collaboration between the Government, taxi operators and ride-hailing companies to promote safer hands-free navigation and voice-assisted technologies.
Meanwhile, PAP MP Charlene Chen recommended that ride-hailing platforms simplify their applications by reducing unnecessary notifications, extending response windows for job requests and limiting non-essential distractions while drivers are on the road.
Existing Laws Still Apply
Responding to the debate, Ms Sim stressed that the new legislation contains “no exception” for holding mobile devices while a vehicle is moving.
She added that even if a phone falls from its mount, drivers should first stop safely before retrieving it.
While mounted phones remain legal for legitimate uses such as navigation, Ms Sim said drivers could still face prosecution if their interaction with mounted devices causes careless or dangerous driving.
She also noted that existing road traffic regulations already prohibit installing visual displays in a manner that creates safety hazards or distracts motorists.
The Government will continue monitoring road safety and has not ruled out introducing further measures regarding mounted devices or vehicle screens if necessary.
Phone-Related Driving Offences Continue To Rise
During the debate, Ms Sim revealed that mobile phone-related driving offences have been increasing.
Traffic Police recorded 4,214 cases in 2025, representing a 40 per cent increase from 3,014 cases in 2024.
She acknowledged that proving mobile phone use following an accident remains difficult because drivers rarely admit to using their devices and objective video evidence is often unavailable.
Nevertheless, she emphasised that distracted driving remains a serious safety concern, adding that the Government intends to act before more accidents and fatalities occur.