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Changes to mandatory minimum jail terms for dangerous driving kick in
The Straits Times
|June 12, 2025
Updated legislation covering dangerous and careless driving offences, with mandatory minimum sentences for first-time offenders removed, will take effect on June 12.
The first tranche of amendments in the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act will lower the mandatory minimum jail terms for repeat offenders of dangerous driving causing death or grievous hurt to two years' jail and one year's jail, respectively.
The mandatory minimum jail term and disqualification period for first-time offenders will also be removed.
No changes will be made to the maximum penalties for repeat offenders. Those convicted of dangerous driving causing death can face up to 15 years' jail, while those who cause grievous hurt can be jailed for up to 10 years.
In a June 11 statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said: "The courts will have the flexibility to decide on the appropriate sentence in every case, and MHA expects egregious offenders to continue to be subject to stiff penalties."
This story is from the June 12, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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