Singapore authorities stopped 265 foreign motorists at its land checkpoints over outstanding traffic, parking and vehicle-related fines, recovering more than S$639,000 (US$499,000) during a three-day enforcement operation.
The multi-agency operation, conducted from Sept 28 to Sept 30, saw foreign motorists with unpaid fines stopped upon entering Singapore and directed to settle their outstanding penalties before proceeding.
Singapore authorities said they take a serious view of foreign motorists who commit offences in the city-state but fail to pay their fines, adding that enforcement operations are conducted regularly.
Motorists with outstanding fines for traffic, parking or vehicular emissions offences may be denied entry into Singapore.
The operation was led by the Traffic Police and supported by officers from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, Housing and Development Board, Land Transport Authority, National Environment Agency and Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Singapore is set to tighten enforcement further from Nov 2, when foreign-registered vehicles with unpaid fines will no longer be able to apply for or renew their Vehicle Entry Permit (VEP).
As all foreign-registered vehicles require a valid VEP to enter Singapore, motorists who fail to clear their outstanding fines could effectively be prevented from driving into the country.
Foreign motorists have therefore been advised to check for outstanding fines and settle them before applying for or renewing their VEP through the Land Transport Authority’s OneMotoring portal.
Payments can be made through AXS kiosks, its website and mobile applications, as well as through the respective government agencies’ websites or customer service counters.
The LTA said payment service providers may take up to two days to process payments and update government records, meaning motorists should not wait until immediately before travelling to settle outstanding penalties.
The latest enforcement drive underscores Singapore’s increasingly strict approach towards foreign motorists who leave traffic or other vehicle-related offences unresolved.
