Oh no! First time kena speeding saman? Here's what to expect

If you've never received a speeding summons or saman, as we like to call it, that plain envelope marked 'On Government Service' looks innocuous. You might even think it's from HDB or CPF.

So, you open it but to your dismay, the first words you see are "Road Traffic Act". Damn. It is a dreaded summons from the Traffic Police. If this is your first time receiving one, I know how you feel. Your heart must be sinking lower and lower as you read the letter.

As bad as things seem and feel, don't panic. It is not the end of the world, because your points will be reset after 12 months, if you don't add to your tally after this. Now, here's what you must do next.


1. Read carefully

The letter will state the offence, along with the date and time your vehicle was caught. At this point, you'll probably be racking your brains trying to remember when it happened.

Pay attention to the deadline for the submission of the driver's details, which is usually two weeks from the letter's issue. If your car is driven by more than one person, you need to figure out who was driving it at the point in question, as soon as possible.

The letter will also state that you can furnish the driver's details at www.police.gov.sg/furnish_tp and log in using your Singpass, or FIN and Date of Birth.


2. Take action immediately

If it was you driving the car, using your Singpass simplifies bao toh-ing yourself. All your details are pre-filled, and you just need to acknowledge/admit that you were the one behind the wheel.

Receiving a speeding summons for the first time, even one with 'only' four demerits, results in stress and anxiety. However, the sooner you start this process, the sooner the agony will end. Fines can be paid using QR codes as well, thereby hastening the process.

The same is true if you wish to write in and appeal. But be warned, with speeding cases rising, the Traffic Police are unlikely to consider letting you off with a warning or even reducing the demerits and composition fine imposed. 


3. Possible exception

That said, it is possible that the Traffic Police may consider mitigating factors, such as a medical emergency, in deciding whether to lessen the penalties or let you off with a warning.

However, you will need to produce concrete evidence of such a situation. If you weren't too far over the speed limit (only they can define this) and it happened on an empty straight road as opposed to a busy one, there might still be a chance.

You can always try and hope, but barring a miracle, the appeal is likely to be rejected, especially considering the rising casualties from speeding-related mishaps.


4. What you must never do

Never furnish someone else's particulars. We've all heard anecdotes about someone's sibling or spouse successfully taking the fall, but if you're caught (speed cameras take pretty good photos), your situation will go from bad to worse.

Furnishing false particulars is a much more serious offence, and we've all heard the term 'perverting the course of justice' in news articles about individuals being prosecuted in court. A traffic offence is one thing, a criminal one is another story.

A speeding summons with demerits and a fine is way better than a court case. The result of this might mean the revocation of your driving licence, an even heftier fine and/or jail time.

On a final note, a suspended licence means you can start driving again once the suspension period ends. But if it gets revoked, you must take all the lessons and tests again. Worse, if you have a Class 2 licence, that also means taking and passing all three (2B, 2A, 2) all over again.


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