Traffic deaths, injuries hit five-year high; increase in fatal accidents linked to speeding
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In total, traffic enforcement cameras caught 100,720 speeding violations in 2024, more than double the number in 2023.
PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO FILE
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SINGAPORE – 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.
The spike in fatalities was matched by a sharp rise in motorists caught speeding, figures the Traffic Police (TP) released on Feb 21 showed.
TP said there appeared to be a lack of regard for rules among motorists, after noting a 64.8 per cent jump in speeding violations in 2024 compared with the previous year.
About one in 10 of the speeding violations was detected by red-light cameras. TP had activated the speed-enforcement functions in such cameras in April 2024.
In total, traffic enforcement cameras caught 100,720 speeding violations in 2024, more than double the number in 2023. More motorists were also caught speeding in police enforcement operations.
TP said motorists are aware of the presence of cameras and police operations.
They pointed out that red-light cameras with speed enforcement functions are conspicuously painted in orange and white, with clear warning signs, and their locations are even available online.
“This suggests an attitudinal issue and lack of regard for speed compliance among motorists,” said TP.
Senior Assistant Commissioner (SAC) Daniel Tan, the commander of TP, told the media: “It’s a bleak situation; we’re definitely concerned. On all counts, in terms of accidents, injuries and fatal accidents, numbers have gone up.
“Despite the increased enforcement efforts by TP, we still see a very general lack of speed compliance.”
Traffic Police commander Daniel Tan (second from left) speaking to the media at a briefing on the annual road traffic situation for 2024 on Feb 21.
PHOTO: SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
TP figures showed 142 people died in accidents in 2024, up from 136 deaths the previous year
The number of people injured in accidents was also up, from 8,941 in 2023 to 9,302 in 2024.
Of the 139 fatal accidents in 2024, 46 cases – or one in three – were related to speeding, TP said.
Speeding was linked to one in four fatal accidents in 2023.
SAC Tan said he was concerned about the rise in fatal accidents.
“We’re talking about somebody’s husband, wife, father, mother, child... it’s not a statistic. We’re talking about lives and families.
“TP is going to do our part, and we will take perpetrators to task. But all of us have to go upstream to make sure these things don’t happen in the first place,” he added.
To combat speeding offences, TP said that composition fines for such offences will be increased
More details about the increased penalties for speeding will be announced later in 2025.
SAC Tan said TP had foreseen a spike in speeding violations after activating the speed-detection function in red-light cameras.
“We would expect the number of violations to go up, before that change of behaviour takes place.
“For some of the locations, we saw a spike in the number (of speeding violations), and then over the next few months, the numbers went down.
“The chance of getting caught plays a big part. If they think they can get away with it, it becomes a norm,” he said.
TP said the speed enforcement functions in more red-light cameras will be progressively activated across Singapore, especially at locations with more accidents or violations.
It will also ramp up enforcement efforts against speeding.
SAC Tan said a change in attitude among motorists is possible with enforcement action. He pointed to the decrease in the number of red-light running accidents in 2024.
The number of red-light running accidents in 2024 fell 14.3 per cent in 2024 to 96 cases. There were six fatal accidents related to running the red light in 2024, compared with eight the previous year.
TP said red-light running violations also fell 11.9 per cent to 28,965 cases in 2024.
However, more people were caught drink driving, with 1,778 such arrests in 2024, up 6.9 per cent from 2023.
Drink driving-related accidents dropped from 180 to 166 cases in the same time period, but the number of fatal accidents linked to drink driving increased from 11 cases in 2023 to 12 in 2024.
TP figures showed more motorcyclists and pillion riders died in fatal accidents in 2024. There were 85 such deaths that year compared with 68 in 2023.
Motorcycles account for only 14.7 per cent of Singapore’s total vehicle population, but figures showed motorcyclists and pillion riders accounted for more than half of all traffic accidents and fatalities.
TP said the number of traffic accidents involving elderly pedestrians dropped from 228 cases in 2023 to 199 cases in 2024, and fatal accidents involving this group halved to 11 cases in 2024.
However, elderly pedestrians continue to be a significant concern due to over-representation in fatalities.
TP noted that the elderly make up 12.5 per cent of Singapore’s population, but accounted for 44 per cent of pedestrian deaths in 2024.
Jaywalking remains a concern, as accidents involving such pedestrians were up 23 per cent, from 288 cases in 2023 to 353 in 2024.
Fatal accidents involving jaywalking pedestrians increased from 16 to 18 cases, with elderly pedestrians accounting for 38.9 per cent of such cases.
SAC Tan said pedestrians must practise defensive behaviour.
They should not assume that they are safe when crossing the road on the green-man signal, as there may be distracted drivers around.
SAC Tan said drivers need to change their behaviour, especially those with a clean driving record who assume they will not cause accidents.
“Every time you get behind the wheel of a car or the handlebar of a motorbike, you actually have the potential to cost the lives of others,” he said.
Christine Tan is a journalist at The Straits Times reporting on crime, justice and social issues in Singapore.
