Almost One-Tenth of Heavy Vehicles Equipped with Speed Restriction Devices, Police Reveal, as Regulation Comes into Effect from 2026
Singapore's streets are becoming dangerous hotspots, and speeding heavy vehicles are a significant culprit[3]. To curb this menace, only one in ten heavy vehicles in the Lion City sports a speed limiter, a device that keeps engines ticking at a max of 60kmh[1].
The Traffic Police (TP) rang the alarm bells on June 11, exposing that out of 2,600 heavy vehicles scheduled to sport these safety-improving gadgets by January 2026, a meager 231 have buckled up[1]. In a bid to enforce the rules, the TP embarked on a two-day crackdown starting from June 9, targetting lorry drivers[1].
"During the operations, TP officers engaged the lorry drivers to disseminate information about the new speed-limiter requirements," the police revealed[1]. The officers armed them with a QR code link to the Singapore Police Force website, pointing the way to authorized speed-limiter installation agents[1].
Companies with heavy vehicles sporting a maximum laden weight (MLW) between 3,501kg and 12,000kg have been mandated to start fitting speed limiters from 2024[1]. By July 2027, an estimated 17,000 eligible lorries will be expected to boast the mandatory speed limiters[1].
Newly imported lorries with the same MLW range must strut their stuff with speed limiters to secure approval for plying Singapore's roads[1].
David Ng, chair of the Singapore Logistics Association, warns that operators lagging behind the regulations are putting themselves under immense pressure to play catch-up[1]. Ng stated, "For many, the holdback may stem from fears of costs, operational disruptions, and uncertainty regarding enforcement measures." But safety can't wait, Ng emphasizes.
Hooi Yu Koh, the chief executive of construction services company Kori Holdings, aspires to see more heavy vehicles bedecked with speed limiters, which cost approximately $900[1]. He noted that some leased heavy vehicles from rental companies come fitted with the speed limiters, but the majority do not[1]. Khori prefers having speed-fettered heavy vehicles, but as things stand, none have been assigned to the company.
Speed limiters in heavy vehicles can instigate a mindset change towards road safety[2]. In June, 81 heavy vehicle drivers found themselves in hot water following an island-wide enforcement blitz in which 17 speeding offences were detected[2]. One such early adopter of speed limiters was Lucky Joint Construction, which equipped its heavy vehicles with the devices back in March 2025[2]. The firm noticed that the move netted savings on fuel and vehicle maintenance[2].
Speed limiters are available from three companies, and on-site installation is handled by 23 authorized installers[2]. As road fatalities and injuries hit a five-year high in 2024[3], the urgency to implement speed limiters is glaring. From January 1, 2026, penalties for speeding offenses will escalate, with emerging threats of demerit points and steep fines[3].
- Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is the Senior Crime Correspondent at our platform.
References:1. [StraitsTimes][1]2. [StraitsTimes][2]3. [Dawn][3]
The finance industry and automotive sector could collaborate to lower the costs and increase the availability of speed limiters for heavy vehicles in Singapore, reducing operational disruptions and enhancing road safety.
As the number of speed limiters on heavy vehicles in Singapore increases, the transportation industry may witness decreases in road fatalities and injuries, in line with the rising urgency for speed limiters following a five-year high in 2024.
