More lorries to have mandatory speed limiters; installation to start from Jan 1

SINGAPORE: The traffic police (TP) will require lorries with a maximum laden weight of between 3,501kg and 12,000kg (inclusive) to be installed with speed limiters, to ensure that such vehicles do not go beyond the speed limit of 60kmh.

The requirement will be implemented in phases, the police said in a news release on Friday (Nov 3), with installations to begin from Jan 1, 2024.

This is in line with measures to improve the safety of workers being ferried in lorries, which came after an inter-agency review that involved industry groups, safety experts, transport operators, private companies, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions.

Speed limiters are already mandated for all goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight exceeding 12,000kg, while speed warning devices are required for all goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight of up to 3,500kg.

"Based on consultations with the industry, TP recognises that some time is required to develop the speed limiters to comply with our local requirements, as well as to supply and install the speed limiters," the police said.

"Therefore, while installation will begin from Jan 1, 2024, lorries will be given two or three years to install and comply with the speed limiter requirement."

The speed limiters can only be installed by companies authorised to do so by the traffic police.

"All lorries will be subjected to a compliance check at the point of installation by an authorised agent, to ensure that the speed limiter installed is functioning properly," the police said.

The list of authorised agents will be made available at the Singapore Police Force website from Jan 1. Lorry owners should also approach an authorised agent early to arrange for the installation of a speed limiter.

Additionally, from Jan 1, 2026, newly-imported lorries with a maximum laden weight of between 3,501kg and 12,000kg (inclusive) must similarly be equipped with speed limiters in order to be approved for use in Singapore.

Relevant documentation should be submitted to the Land Transport Authority (LTA) when seeking pre-registration approval, to show that the lorry is compliant with TP's speed limiter requirements.

The authorities are also reviewing laws to strengthen deterrence against speed-limiter offences, such as tampering and non-compliant speed limiters and against unauthorised speed limiter works.

More details will be announced later, they added.

Other recent measures to improve worker safety include requiring employers to ensure that lorry drivers - particularly those with dual roles of ferrying workers and working onsite - have at least 30 minutes of rest after six hours on the job, before they can continue ferrying others.