• Motorists who commit traffic offences at Silver, School Zones will face extra demerit points, steeper fines
• The changes will take effect from July 1
• Older pedestrians continue to account for a disproportionate number of traffic accidents leading to injuries, death

SINGAPORE — From July 1, the authorities will be raising fines and demerit points for traffic offences at Silver Zones and School Zones in an effort to make the roads safer for seniors and students.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Tuesday (June 1) that motorists who commit offences at pedestrian crossings or those that endanger pedestrians at these zones would incur two more demerit points. Fines for such offences will also go up by S$100.

The updated penalties are aimed at further deterring irresponsible driving, MHA said in a statement.

The Government rolled out Silver Zones seven years ago at housing estates with higher populations of seniors. There is a lower speed limit in the zones, typically 40km/h, along with other road safety and traffic calming features such as narrowed lanes to slow traffic.

At School Zones, speed limits are lowered at certain times on a school day.

MHA announced the tougher penalties in March during a parliamentary debate on its budget.

DEMERIT POINTS, FINES

Elaborating on the stiffer penalties, MHA said that the extra demerit points and higher fines would apply to motorists who fail to slow down or give way when approaching pedestrian crossings in these zones.

It will also apply to traffic offences that endanger road users such as speeding and driving against the flow of traffic.

For example, a motorist who fails to slow down before a pedestrian crossing would normally receive six demerit points. From next month, when this happens in a Silver or School Zone, the motorist would get eight demerit points.

A motorist with no record of a driving suspension who amasses 24 or more demerit points in 24 months will have his licence suspended for 12 weeks.

MHA said that the fines for offences committed inside Silver and School Zones will climb by S$100 — with one exception. 

Heavy vehicle operators that run a red light will still face a maximum fine of S$500. This is because the fine is already at the S$500 cap, or half the maximum court fine, and cannot be increased further as stipulated under the Road Traffic Act.

“MHA will monitor the accident rates for heavy vehicles in Silver Zones and School Zones, and review the cap on composition fines if necessary.” 

VULNERABLE ON THE ROADS

While road safety has generally improved over the years, older pedestrians continue to account for a disproportionate number of traffic accidents that resulted in injuries or death.

The number of traffic accidents that killed or injured an older pedestrian rose from 223 in 2015 to 317 in 2019. 

Traffic accidents were on the decline last year because there were fewer people on the roads owing in part to movement restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Even so, 18 pedestrians died last year, 15 of them seniors.

MHA said on Tuesday: “While jaywalking by elderly pedestrians contributed to some of these accidents, many accidents also arise from irresponsible driving behaviour on the motorist’s part, such as failing to slow down when approaching a pedestrian crossing.

“The situation may be improved with greater care on the part of motorists.”