24 December 2025

Road Safety: Link traffic offences to car insurance premiums

 


Note: This article was emailed to the Press (SPH) but was never published.

Our Traffic Police are now using new cameras at some locations to capture traffic offences. I applaud them for stepping up enforcement actions using the new cameras against errant drivers to make our roads safer. They should be rolled out at more locations as a deterrent.

These days, there are so many errant drivers on the road. Accidents are waiting to happen. Many drivers and motorists seem to be desperate for time and they often beat red traffic light at many traffic junctions. Many failed to stop at traffic lights or give way to pedestrians crossing the road.

I would like to suggest that traffic offences and demerit point system information and data should be made available and accessible to car insurance companies. Currently, car insurance premiums are increased and NCD are reduced only when traffic accidents are reported with filed claims. No claim does not mean the insured driver is a safe driver who collects multiple traffic offences and fines. I hope the TP could review this idea to nudge motorists towards safe driving behaviour on our roads. As the saying goes: ”What gets measured gets managed.”

In simpler words, it means no pain, no gain