Singapore Boosts Heavy Vehicle Safety with Speed Limiter Mandate, But Uptake Remains a Challenge
Singapore – A new push to enhance road safety is underway in Singapore, with authorities urging quicker adoption of speed limiters for heavy goods vehicles.While initial installation rates were low,recent figures show a notable increase in compliance with the upcoming mandate requiring these devices on most lorries.Currently, goods vehicles exceeding 12,000kg in Maximum Laden Weight (MLW) are already equipped with speed limiters. Though, regulations are expanding. Beginning in 2026, all newly imported lorries with an MLW above 3,500kg will be required to have the devices installed. The rollout is phased, with existing lorries registered before 2018 also mandated to retrofit the limiters. Those registered in or after 2018 have until 2027 to comply.
The speed limiter initiative aims to curb speeding-related accidents involving heavy vehicles, a significant concern for road safety in the densely populated island nation. Installations began in 2024, but early adoption was sluggish. as of June 2025, only approximately 230 out of the 2,600 heavy vehicles needing the device by January 2026 had been fitted – a take-up rate of roughly 9%.
The Traffic Police (TP) reports that the installation rate has since risen to around 34%, equating to approximately one in three vehicles complying. This improvement follows increased outreach efforts.
Data from the first half of 2025 demonstrates the effectiveness of the technology. Lorries with speed limiters recorded almost no speeding violations. In stark contrast, 641 speeding violations were recorded for lorries without the devices during the same period. This represents a 13.5% increase from the 565 violations recorded in the first six months of 2024.
To encourage compliance, the TP is collaborating with key industry partners, including PSA Singapore (the port operator), and has conducted road safety talks reaching over 8,000 road users, with more than 2,400 specifically targeting heavy vehicle drivers. Superintendent Lian, of the Traffic Police, emphasized the need for proactive action, stating, “We urge companies to install speed limiters early, and every road user needs to exercise greater obligation.”
Context & Background:
Singapore has consistently prioritized road safety, implementing a range of measures including strict licensing requirements, advanced traffic management systems, and robust enforcement. The introduction of speed limiters for heavy goods vehicles builds upon these efforts,addressing a specific risk area.The MLW threshold of 3,500kg is a common standard used internationally for defining heavy goods vehicles. The phased implementation allows operators time to adjust and manage the costs associated with installation.
Further Information:
The original article can be found here: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/one-in-10-heavy-vehicles-fitted-with-speed-limiters-despite-new-rule-kicking-in-from-2026-police?ref=inline-article
PSA singapore: A major port operator and key partner in the TP’s outreach efforts.
* Maximum Laden Weight (MLW): The maximum permissible weight of a vehicle,including the vehicle itself and its cargo.
