S'pore proposes more jail time for dangerous & careless driving causing grievous hurt

Singapore is looking to impose stiffer penalties for dangerous driving and careless driving causing grievous hurt.

This was announced during first reading of the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill in parliament on Jul. 7 by Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the current maximum penalties for dangerous and careless driving causing grievous hurt are significantly less harsh than those for causing death.

These make the current penalties inadequate for the most serious cases of grievous hurt, which can result in "profound and catastrophic consequences" like traumatic brain injuries, which can leave victims permanently bedbound.

Dangerous driving refers to driving in manner that is objectively dangerous and shows disregard for the safety of others.

Careless driving refers to driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users.

Current law

Under the current law, a first-time offender convicted of dangerous driving causing grievous hurt faces a maximum of five years in jail.

In comparison, a first-time offender convicted of dangerous driving causing death faces up to eight years' imprisonment.

To address this gap, MHA is looking to increase the maximum penalties for dangerous and careless driving causing grievous hurt, bringing them closer to those for offences resulting in death.

Changes made

First-time offenders convicted of dangerous driving causing grievous hurt will face up to seven years in jail, up from a maximum of five years.

Repeat offenders now face up to 10 years in jail, but amendments introduced will increase the imprisonment term to 13 years.

There will be no change to the maximum penalties for first-time and repeat offenders for careless driving as the penalties are already aligned with those for causing death.

However, the bill will increase the additional uplifts imposed on serious and repeat serious offenders convicted of dangerous or careless driving causing grievous hurt.

A serious offender refers to a motorist who commits dangerous or careless driving while drink-driving.

The maximum uplift for serious offenders will be raised from a year to 18 months, while that of repeat serious offenders will be raised from two years to three years and six months.