Dear Editor,

It is a shame that it has taken decades for any government to legislate changes in the traffic laws after so many have died needlessly.

More insulting to the public is the $75,000 fine handed to the driver who killed two pedestrians while racing down the road. If there are two systems of justice, then new traffic laws will only penalise some and not the others.

I would like to share some research on Singapore which shows equal justice for all. Singapore is a small island nation with 3 million people. A director of a company punches a cab driver in a fit of road rage. The judge sends the accused to 1 month in jail. A female lawyer shoplifts from a store. The judge doubles the sentence from 2 weeks to 4 weeks in jail.

Speeding - Section 63 of the Road Traffic Act - Fine up to S$1,000 or jail up to 3 months; and on subsequent conviction, fine up to S$2,000 or jail up to 6 months. Disqualification from driving.

Reckless/dangerous driving - Section 64 of the Road Traffic Act - fine up to S$3,000 or jail up to 12 months, or both. Subsequent conviction, fine up to S$5,000 or jail up to 2 years, or both. Disqualification from driving.

Driving without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration - Section 65 of the Road Traffic Act - Fine up to S$1,000 or jail up to 6 months or both. Subsequent conviction, fine up to S$2,000 or jail up to 12 months, or both. Disqualification from driving.

Use of mobile phone while driving - Section 65B of the Road Traffic Act - Fine up to S$1,000 or jail up to 6 months, or both. Subsequent conviction, fine up to S$2,000 or jail up to 12 months, or both. Disqualification from driving.

Causing death by reckless or dangerous driving - Section 66 of the Road Traffic Act - Jail up to five years. Disqualification from driving.

Drunk driving - Section 67 of the Road Traffic Act - Fine between S$1,000 and S$5,000, or jail up to 6 months. Subsequent conviction, fine between S$3,000 and S$10,000, and jail up to 12 months. Disqualification from driving.

Causing the death of any person by a rash or negligent act - Section 304A of the Penal Code - Jail up to 2 years or fine or both. Disqualification from driving.

Rash or negligent driving - Section 279 of the Penal Code - Jail up to 6 months or fine up to S$1,000, or both. Disqualification from driving. I sincerely hope that the public outcry will ensure justice for all when traffic laws are breached.

Yours faithfully,

Peter Young