SINGAPORE: The maximum number of points a motorist can accumulate before their licence is suspended for the first time will be lowered from 24 points in two years to 18 points in the same period from Jan 1, 2027.As part of a road safety push, suspension periods will also increase, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said on Friday (Jul 31).Changes to the Driver Improvement Points System (DIPS), more commonly known as the demerit points system, are intended to deter traffic violations and keep errant motorists off the roads for longer periods, the police added.Road safety in Singapore has deteriorated, with the number of road fatalities increasing to 149 in 2025 from 142 in 2024, hitting a 10-year high. The number of injured people also rose by 6.6 per cent to 9,955 in 2025.Under the revised system, the threshold of 18 demerit points in 24 months will also apply for subsequent suspensions. Currently, any motorist who has been suspended once can accumulate 12 points in 12 months before he or she is suspended again.The police also said that with the revised suspension threshold, there was "no practical need" to award more than 18 demerit points for any offence.Accordingly, offences that currently carry 24 demerit points will be revised to 18 demerit points.