ST Forum: Jail terms for careless driving can have lasting adverse impact
Published Feb 10, 2026, 05:00 AM
Singapore is a stressful place to live and work. Our roads are busy, our pace is fast, and many drivers, especially elderly ones, are doing their best to stay careful. Despite this, mistakes do happen.
When traffic accidents result in injuries, accountability is necessary. But I hope we can have a broader national conversation about whether short jail terms are the right response in cases of careless driving that do not involve drink driving, malicious behaviour or outright recklessness. This is not a criticism of any specific court decision, but a general concern about sentencing policy.
Recent changes to Singapore’s road traffic laws – including the removal of mandatory minimum jail terms and disqualification periods for first-time dangerous and careless driving offenders – reflect an official move towards giving judges greater discretion and tailoring sentences to individual circumstances, rather than imposing the same blunt penalty in every case.
For law-abiding citizens, even a few days in jail can have a significant psychological impact. It can take years to build a person’s confidence and self-esteem, yet just a few days in custody can shake this profoundly.
The experience can be frightening and destabilising, affecting not just the person but also his family, employment and mental health long after the sentence is served. This kind of punishment may satisfy a sense of warning the public, but may do little to rehabilitate or improve road safety.
Community-based sentences deserve more consideration. Meaningful service – especially work related to road safety advocacy, education or assisting accident victims – can be far more constructive. It allows offenders to confront the consequences of their actions, contribute positively to society and become more cautious drivers.
Singapore’s justice system has long been respected for being firm but fair. In traffic cases involving human error rather than criminal intent, I hope we continue to leave room for proportionality, rehabilitation and second chances. Jail should be reserved for cases involving truly irresponsible or illegal conduct, such as drink driving, excessive speeding, road racing or hit-and-run.
Allen Te Kek Chin
