While the intention behind lowering the demerit points threshold is to enhance road safety, there are concerns about potential unintended consequences. Motorists who accumulate 18 points within 12 months may face a driving ban, which could disproportionately affect those who rely on their vehicles for daily commuting and livelihood.
The policy change may also lead to increased administrative burdens for the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), as they will need to process a higher volume of suspension cases and manage public inquiries. This could divert resources from other critical areas of road safety enforcement.
Additionally, there is a risk that the stricter demerit points system might not effectively deter traffic violations if not accompanied by comprehensive public education campaigns and improved enforcement.