SINGAPORE - The number of drivers caught for speeding here has gone up, according to the Traffic Police.

Last year, 278,545 drivers were found to be driving above the speed limit, an increase of 6.5 per cent from the 261,540 the year before.

The number of fatal accidents which involved speeding also increased to 42 in 2014 from 39 in 2013.

To deter more drivers from flooring the pedal, 20 new digital speed cameras will be installed at 11 locations by the end of this year, said the Traffic Police. Five locations - such as the one along Loyang Avenue towards Tampines Avenue 7 - did not have speed cameras before.

The traffic police are hoping the new cameras, which do not rely on film and can transmit images of errant motorists wirelessly back to police headquarters, will have an effect on drivers intent on speeding.

Overall, however, the number of fatalities on the road dipped slightly to 154 from 160 in 2013, though the spike in elderly pedestrians killed - 25 last year over 17 in 2013 - needs special attention, said Mr Bernard Tay, chairman of the Singapore Road Safety Council.

"The new measures will deter motorists who are tempted to flout safety rules whenever they are in a hurry," he added.

Traffic Police commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Sam Tee said: "The road situation in Singapore has improved, and the decrease in traffic fatalities is particularly heartening."