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ffic Police defends foreign drivers: Only 0.1 per cent of them contributed to traffic accident Posted by temasektimes on May 31, 2012
Despite calls from the public to impose more stringent criteria on foreigners holding foreign driving lessons before they can drive in Singapore, the Singapore Traffic Police insists that there is no need to review the present system as the ‘majority’ of foreigners are safe drivers.
The Traffic Police reiterated that foreign drivers only need to convert their licences by passing the basic theory test if they stay in Singapore beyond 12 months.
As of end 2011, out of 369 637 foreign drivers with converted licences, “only” 0.1 per cent of them contributed to traffic accidents.
Speaking to queries from the media, Commanding Officer of the Traffic Police Patrolling Unit Choy Chan Hoe said:
“The feedback that we have been getting is that the public will like to Traffic Police to step up enforcement, to be tough on the errant drivers. I must emphasise that Traffic Police has not let up on the enforcement effort, we are still maintaining a very tough stance against irresponsible drivers, especially those who commit serious moving violations, because all these accidents can potential cause fatal injury.”
He added that under an international treaty signed by Singapore, Singaporeans are accorded the same ‘privileges’ in other countries as well – that they need only pass a theory test to convert their Singapore driving licence.

The Traffic Police reiterated that foreign drivers only need to convert their licences by passing the basic theory test if they stay in Singapore beyond 12 months.
As of end 2011, out of 369 637 foreign drivers with converted licences, “only” 0.1 per cent of them contributed to traffic accidents.
Speaking to queries from the media, Commanding Officer of the Traffic Police Patrolling Unit Choy Chan Hoe said:
“The feedback that we have been getting is that the public will like to Traffic Police to step up enforcement, to be tough on the errant drivers. I must emphasise that Traffic Police has not let up on the enforcement effort, we are still maintaining a very tough stance against irresponsible drivers, especially those who commit serious moving violations, because all these accidents can potential cause fatal injury.”
He added that under an international treaty signed by Singapore, Singaporeans are accorded the same ‘privileges’ in other countries as well – that they need only pass a theory test to convert their Singapore driving licence.