We refer to the letters by Mr Mohamad Nurhafiz Mohd Noor, “Curb Drink Driving with Stiffer Penalties”, and Mr Matthew Chua, “Use Drones to Help Police the Roads”, published on 22 Sept.
The Traffic Police (TP) has been closely monitoring the road traffic situation, and in fact has intensified its three-pronged approach of education, engagement and enforcement to improve road safety and curb drink driving.
For example, it has been reinforcing anti-drink driving messages through its annual anti-drink driving campaign, road safety talks, community roadshows and exhibitions.
In addition, TP conducts daily roadblocks to enforce against crimes, including drink driving. The number of persons arrested for drink driving has remained stable, with 785 persons arrested in the first half of 2023, compared to 790 persons in the first half of 2022.
TP has also been leveraging technology, such as cameras, to deter irresponsible road behaviour. We will study the feasibility of drones for traffic enforcement in the future.
The Road Traffic Act 1961 is regularly reviewed. In 2019, it was amended to enhance the penalties for drink-driving, for stronger deterrence. The maximum fine was doubled from $5,000 to $10,000, the maximum imprisonment term was also doubled from six to 12 months, while the driving ban was more than doubled from at least 12 months to at least two years.
However, TP’s efforts alone will never be enough. Road safety is a shared responsibility. All motorists have a part to play and must abide by traffic rules, if we are to keep the roads safe for everyone.
SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE (SUPT) LIN ZHIHAO
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (MEDIA RELATIONS DIVISION)
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
28 September 2023 @ 11:50 AM