Only 1 in 10 heavy vehicles fitted with speed limiters despite new rule kicking in from 2026: Police

SINGAPORE – Only one in 10 heavy vehicles in Singapore has been fitted with a speed limiter, a device to improve road safety by

restricting engines to a maximum speed of 60kmh.

The Traffic Police (TP) on June 11 shared that out of 2,600 heavy vehicles that are required to install speed limiters by January 2026, only 231 have done so.

To reinforce the message, police conducted a two-day blitz from June 9 targeting lorry drivers.

“During the operations, TP officers engaged the lorry drivers to raise awareness about the new speed-limiter requirements.

“They were provided with a QR code linking to the Singapore Police Force website for information on authorised speed-limiter installation agents to book the appointment early, and were advised to share this with their company, where applicable,” the police said.

Companies with heavy vehicles with a maximum laden weight (MLW) of between 3,501kg and 12,000kg began installing speed limiters from January 2024, with vehicle owners given two to three years to install the device.

In total, about 17,000 eligible lorries are required to install the mandatory speed limiters by July 2027. 

In addition, newly imported lorries with the same MLW range must be equipped with speed limiters in order to be approved for use in Singapore. 

Mr Dave Ng, chairman of the Singapore Logistics Association, said operators who have yet to comply with the regulations are facing increasing pressure to get it done.

Mr Ng said: “For many, the delay in adoption may stem from concerns about costs, operational disruptions and uncertainty regarding enforcement measures.

“However, given the critical importance of safety – particularly in relation to high-speed heavy vehicles – installing speed limiters is not an issue that can be postponed until the last minute.”

Mr Hooi Yu Koh, chief executive of construction services company Kori Holdings, said he wants to see more heavy vehicles fitted with the device, which costs about $900.

“Some of the heavy vehicles leased by rental companies are fitted with the speed limiters but most are not.

“The heavy vehicles allocated to us are constantly changing, and at present, none of those with speed limiters are assigned to us, even though we prefer to be allocated with those that have (speed limiters).”

During the operation on June 9 and 10, TP flagged down heavy vehicles around Loyang and along Tampines Expressway.

In total, 56 lorries were stopped for checks, with the drivers told to inform the vehicle owners to install speed limiters.

TP said 32 traffic violations committed by lorry drivers were detected, including 17 speeding offences.

The other offences included using a mobile communication device while driving and failing to wear a seatbelt.

Superintendent Lian Weixiong said TP detected at least 10 speeding violations by lorries on the first day of operations.

“This shows that these lorry drivers continue to disregard traffic laws, risking the lives of other road users.

“I urge lorry owners required to install speed limiters to do so early to avoid speeding offences and accidents on the roads,” said Supt Lian, who heads the research, planning and organisational development branch at TP.

One of the early adopters of speed limiters was Lucky Joint Construction, which fitted its heavy vehicles with the devices in March 2025. 

A spokesman said the firm found that it shaved costs for fuel and vehicle maintenance after 67 of its 79 heavy vehicles were installed with the speed limiters.

The speed limiters are supplied by three companies, with on-site installation conducted by 23 authorised installers.

The number of people killed and injured in traffic accidents hit a five-year-high in 2024, with speeding contributing to one in three fatal crashes.