Removing mandatory minimum punishments for driving offences does not necessarily mean a more lenient approach, lawyers tell CNA.
SINGAPORE: The range of penalties for motorists who drive dangerously or carelessly will change if amendments to the Road Traffic Act are passed., introduced into parliament on Monday , are meant to give the courts and the prosecution greater flexibility in punishing errant drivers.The Ministry of Home Affairs is proposing three key changes to how sentences for driving offences are decided.
The prosecution will be given more flexibility to proceed with an appropriate charge against the driver which takes into consideration the severity of hurt caused to the victim. Currently, a motorist is a repeat offender if he or she has been convicted previously of any one of the following: Dangerous or careless driving, conducting illegal speed trials, or speeding.
This time, the ministry assessed that it needed to adjust the Act to better balance deterrence and proportionality, which are among the principles that courts follow when giving sentences. The cyclist suffers grievous hurt from the collision – a fracture and abrasions – and gets three days of medical leave.
The court had ruled that in the current context of the Road Traffic Act, “hurt” and “grievous hurt” are mutually exclusive, and the prosecution cannot reduce a charge of “grievous hurt” to one of “hurt”, Mr Wee said.Commentary: To improve road safety, we must not let drivers get away with minor infringementsStill, the proposed changes have led some to question whether they will more effectively deter traffic offences and make roads safer.
For careless driving – up to three years in jail for the first offence, and double for repeat offenders
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