Singapore lawmakers proposed an amendment to the Road Traffic Act on Tuesday that would make holding a mobile phone while driving a criminal offence.
The change aims to strengthen road safety by eliminating the legal loophole that requires police to prove a driver was actively operating a device. By criminalizing the act of simply holding a phone, the government intends to reduce distracted driving and simplify the enforcement process for traffic officers.
Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Sim Ann said that currently, establishing an offence of using a mobile communication device while driving requires proof that the driver was operating any communicative or other functions of the device [1]. Under the proposed rules, the mere act of holding the device while the vehicle is moving would be sufficient for a penalty.
Sim Ann said the amendment will allow police to issue fines without having to prove the driver was using the phone, making enforcement more effective [2]. The law would apply to mobile phones and similar devices, including smartwatches.
While the criteria for the offence are expanding, the existing penalties remain unchanged. First-time offenders face a maximum fine of S$1,000 [1] and a jail term of up to six months [1]. For those who commit repeat offences, the maximum fine increases to S$2,000 [1].
The proposal was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 [2]. The move reflects a broader effort by the Singapore Police Force to address the dangers of distracted driving in an era of increasing smartphone dependency.
“The amendment will allow police to issue fines without having to prove the driver was using the phone.”
This legal shift moves the burden of proof from the state to the driver. By removing the requirement to prove 'active use'—such as texting or calling—Singapore is transitioning to a strict-liability style of enforcement for device possession. This likely signals a zero-tolerance approach to driver distraction, intending to create a psychological deterrent where drivers no longer risk holding a device even for a moment.
