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Singapore has excellent public transportation systems. Yet thousands still drive as part of their daily commute. And though all Singaporean drivers pass the driving exam, some still make occasional mistakes. In 2016, a report claimed that there were approximately 13,000 traffic violations, and the numbers are not decreasing anytime soon.
Here are the four most common traffic offences in Singapore, their penalties and what to do when you get a ticket.
If you're below 21 years of age, you can't drive the following vehicles on the road -
Heavy Locomotive
Light Locomotive
Motor Tractor
Heavy Motor Car
Persons below 18 years old are not permitted to drive any motor vehicle.
Watch out for the speed rates placed on traffic signs whenever you drive.
A reckless or dangerous driver drives without reasonable caution, thus putting himself and others in danger.
Speeding past pedestrian crossings is strictly prohibited.
Driving under the influence of drugs and other intoxicating substances shall be dealt with by the law.
Severe penalties are imposed if another person dies because of the driver's recklessness and negligence.
You can't text or call whenever you drive your car or any motor vehicle on a public road.
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For first offences, you can go to jail for a year, pay a fine of up to $5000, or both. If you do it for the second time, you may have to pay double and stay in jail for up to 2 years.
The Ministry of Home Affairs released a statement on February 21, 2019, that the proposed changes to the Road Traffic Act have longer jail terms and heavier fines for egregious driving behaviour that causes serious harm to its victim.
We've gone over the traffic and road offences. Now let's consider what to do when you think you've committed one.
Log into the Electronic Driver Data Information & Enquiry System to check your records. It automatically generates the list of all the outstanding traffic offences.
Pay the fine: If you have committed a minor traffic offence, you'll receive a Notice of Traffic Offence and the amount to be paid, also known as the offer of composition. Just pay it on any of the indicated payment channels.
Appear in Court: You may receive a Notice to Attend Court instead of a Notice of Traffic Offence for two reasons:
You committed a minor offence without an offer of composition.
You committed a serious traffic offence that may have resulted in a severe injury or death and is punishable under the penal code.
On these two occasions, a lawyer can help you understand the consequences of your actions, options and penalties involved. They can also help you preserve your insurance premiums and your driving record.
Serious traffic offences without an offer of composition, especially those resulting in severe injury or death, are classified as criminal offences. You might want to call your lawyer immediately before you claim to trial or plead guilty. The lawyer will ensure your proper representation in the criminal case.
Disclaimer: The article is not a piece of legal advice or opinion on the topic discussed, and one should not rely on it. No one should see it as a statement of law and practice in this area. If you need any legal advice, consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction. None of the members, partner or consultant who is a part of Bishop Law assumes or holds any responsibility or liability to any person in respect of the content shared above.
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You get dedicated time with one of our specialist criminal solicitors on the phone or by video call with no obligation.
When we're talking with you, we promise to always be non-judgmental and sensitive to what you're going through. We’ll treat you with compassion and kindness and protect you from the Police, the Prosecution and even the Media.
Our criminal lawyers ask the right questions so we can understand what's going on, and provide you with practical advice.
In more serious or difficult situations we may need up to a full hour to discuss your case.
For the majority of cases which are less serious or complex, 10-20 minutes would be enough to advise you.
If it's obvious straight away that we wouldn't be able to help, we'll tell you straight away and point you in the right direction to find lawyers who can help.
We can usually offer a fixed fee instalment plan so you can plan for the expense, and so you can fund your case in stages while it is continuing.
Once we have an idea of what kind of case you are facing and what work that will be necessary, we will then be able to provide you with a fixed fee quote. This means that you know before you commit how much your case will cost.
Representation at interview or court hearings
Conferences with your lawyers
Analysing the evidence & investigating
Negotiating with police or prosecutors
We'll get back to you as soon as possible. We are happy to speak to you if you have a query, and either have a consultation on the phone or by video call if necessary.
We generally charged fixed fees and we allow instalment payments. Our prices start from $3000 for minor offences. Speak to us for a case review for a fixed-fee quote for your case.
For claim trial cases we would need to assess your situation before giving you a quote.
There are many possible outcomes in a criminal case. Prison sentences are only imposed when the offence is serious enough to warrant it. Many times we are able to get cases dismissed with a warning or with a fine. Of course each situation depends on the facts. It's best you get advice from a criminal lawyer to help you understand what your chances are.
It depends on the type of offence you have committed. For some less serious offences there would no longer be a record after several years. For more serious offences there would always be a criminal record unfortunately. A criminal record isn't the end of the world. Many of our clients get their lives back on track and go on to enjoy a happy life and career. We'll advise you and help you plan for the future.
This depends on a number of things. How serious is the offence that you are charged with? How serious is the injury or loss or damage suffered in the case? Are there any other special aggravating reasons? What kind of evidence is there against you? These questions will determine whether your case ends up in Court.
For almost all minor offences and traffic offences your case will be dealt with in the State Court. The State Court deals with cases where the maximum imprisonment term is 10 years and the maximum fine is $30,000. Cases involving caning of up to 12 strokes are also dealt with here.
Any case which involves the death penalty or a maximum imprisonment term of more than 10 years would be dealt with in the High Court.
In Singapore, a criminal offence is described as conduct that has been declared as such by law enacted by Parliament. The classification of criminal offences in Singapore is viewed as a three-stage process:
1.The physical element: Is the accused’s behaviour or conduct banned by law?
2.The fault element: What was the accused’s mental state at the point when the crime occurred?
3.The defences: Are there any defences that may be utilised to absolve the accused of criminal guilt, even if the factual and culpability aspects are existent?
It’s vital to remember that a suspect may only be held accountable for a crime
if he or she is determined to have committed both the factual and culpability aspects of the crime. The prosecutor would have to prove its allegations against a suspect ‘beyond all reasonable doubt,’ as required in criminal cases.
The Penal Code in Singapore has been amended several times over the years. Penalties for some crimes were raised in 1973, and the 1984 Penal Code (Amendment) Act, which came into force on August 31, 1984, provided strict penalties for certain crimes.
The Singapore Criminal Code sets out the basic principles of Singapore's criminal law and the components and penalties for common crimes such as criminal intimidation, mischief, exacerbation of assault, robbery, blackmail, sexual misconduct, and fraud. Other laws, such as the Weapons Crimes Act, the Abduction Act, the Substance Abuse Act, and the Vandalism Act, define and list all criminal issues applicable in Singapore.
The Criminal Law Temporary Provisions Act is Singapore's Criminal Code, which allows government agencies to order the detention of suspects without trial. First implemented in 1955 during the colonial era, it was intended for a one-off measure, but has been updated regularly since then. The government refused to make it permanent, stating that "the law should be formally updated by Congress every five years." The validity of the law was extended to February 2018 and now continues until October 2024.
An offence will be recorded as a criminal record if the perpetrator is:
Charged in Singapore of any properly registered offence.
Charged of any crime conducted inside Malaysia that is recognizable under Malaysian law;
Banishment, expulsion, or deportation from Singapore or Malaysia; or
Charged with any crime in, or exiled, deported, or ejected from, any location outside of Singapore and Malaysia, and the appropriate officials of that country provide such information to the Registrar.
The workings of a criminal lawyer include bail hearings, complaints, trials, revocation hearings (probation or probation), appeals and post-conviction appeals. As part of a lawyer's duties, the lawyer will:
Investigate the case and interview witnesses
Research and study Case Law, Criminal Law and Procedural Law
Build defenses and develop strategies
Negotiate with the prosecutor and sue for lower plea
Drafting, submitting, and arguing motions such as motions to dismiss and motion to suppress
Be the defendant's lawyer in court
Create, submit, and discuss an objection
Experience, analytical skills, patience, perseverance, research skills, strong knowledge and communication skills. These are some key attributes of a good criminal lawyer.