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The proposed changes to drink- and drug-driving laws will complement the existing as well as upcoming measures aimed at making worker transportation safer.
Singapore is set to strengthen protections for migrant workers travelling in lorries, alongside proposed measures to tighten penalties and restrictions around driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or impaired driving.
Responding to a parliamentary query on whether additional measures are needed to protect workers from collisions involving impaired drivers, Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam said driving under the influence poses a serious risk to all road users, including workers travelling in lorries.
He added that the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill for First Reading, which was introduced in July 2026, proposes to lower the alcohol limits for driving and introduces a new offence covering the presence of controlled drugs, psychoactive substances or intoxicating substances in a driver's blood.
Measures already in place
The proposed changes come alongside existing safeguards aimed at improving the safety of workers travelling in lorries. These include requirements for employers to ensure drivers have sufficient rest time, as well as a “vehicle buddy” requirement for drivers ferrying workers.
Senior Minister Shanmugam also shared further measures that will take effect in the coming years:
From 1 January 2027, the ferrying of workers in caged lorry decks will be banned. Companies that wish to continue using such vehicles to ferry workers or equipment can convert the rear deck to include a canopy and side railings.
Nex, from 1 July 2027, all lorries with a Maximum Laden Weight of between 3,501kg and 12,000kg will be required to install speed limiters.
These follow earlier measures around worker transportation and accident protections. As previously reported, employers are also required to report to MOM injuries arising from traffic accidents involving workers travelling between workplaces or using company-provided transport for commuting to work, allowing work injury compensation claims to be initiated.
Senior Minister Shanmugam said the government will continue to monitor trends and review its measures to improve road safety as necessary.
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