Statute Details
- Title: Revised Edition of the Laws (Road Traffic Act) (Rectification) Order 2005
- Act Code: RELA1983-S304-2005
- Legislative Type: Subsidiary legislation (Order)
- Enacting Formula / Authority: Made under section 23(1) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Authorising Act: Revised Edition of the Laws Act
- Citation: “No. S 304” (SL 304/2005)
- Date Made: 16 May 2005
- Commencement Date: Not stated in the extract (rectification orders typically take effect upon publication/coming into operation of the revised edition, but practitioners should confirm in the official publication record)
- Key Provision(s): Section 2 (Rectification of error); Section 1 (Citation)
- Amended Instrument: Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276, 2004 Ed.)
- Amendment Target: Section 64(3) of the Road Traffic Act
- Current Status (as provided): Current version as at 27 Mar 2026
What Is This Legislation About?
The Revised Edition of the Laws (Road Traffic Act) (Rectification) Order 2005 is a narrow, technical legislative instrument. Its purpose is not to change road traffic policy or create new regulatory obligations. Instead, it corrects a drafting error found in the Road Traffic Act as it appeared in the 2004 edition of the Revised Edition of the Laws.
In plain terms, the Order “fixes the wording” of a specific provision so that the Act refers to the correct legal concept. The correction ensures that the internal cross-references within the Road Traffic Act are accurate. This matters because statutory cross-references are how lawyers and courts determine what a provision actually means and what it applies to.
Although the Order is short, it is legally significant: rectification orders help preserve the integrity of the statutory text and reduce the risk of misinterpretation. For practitioners, the key takeaway is that the Road Traffic Act’s section 64(3) must be read with the corrected reference, which affects how the provision operates in practice.
What Are the Key Provisions?
Section 1 (Citation) provides the formal name by which the Order may be cited. This is standard in Singapore subsidiary legislation and is mainly relevant for legal referencing, pleading, and research.
Section 2 (Rectification of error) contains the substantive change. The Order directs that, in section 64(3) of the Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276, 2004 Ed.), a particular phrase be deleted and replaced. Specifically, it instructs the reader to delete the words “subsection (1)” and substitute “section 42”.
To understand the practical effect, consider that section 64(3) likely contains a cross-reference that tells the reader which other provision governs some aspect of the legal regime—such as procedure, interpretation, or the consequences of a particular act. If the cross-reference incorrectly points to “subsection (1)” (without specifying the correct provision), it can create ambiguity: which subsection is meant, and of what section? By substituting “section 42”, the Order clarifies the intended reference and aligns the text with the legislative design.
Why this is important: cross-references are not mere drafting niceties. They determine the legal pathway. If a court or tribunal were to rely on the incorrect reference, it could apply the wrong rule, potentially affecting outcomes in enforcement, prosecution, or appeals. Rectification orders therefore serve as corrective legislation that restores the intended meaning of the statute as originally enacted.
Procedural and formal aspects: The Order includes the “Made this 16th day of May 2005” formula and identifies the Chairman of the Law Revision Commission. It also notes that it is to be presented to Parliament under section 23(2) of the Revised Edition of the Laws Act. This parliamentary presentation requirement underscores that rectification orders, while technical, are part of the formal legislative process and are subject to oversight.
How Is This Legislation Structured?
This Order is extremely concise and consists of two sections:
(1) Citation — sets out how the Order is to be referred to.
(2) Rectification of error — specifies the exact textual correction to be made in the Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276, 2004 Ed.), namely the replacement of “subsection (1)” with “section 42” in section 64(3).
There are no schedules, no separate parts, and no additional operative provisions in the extract. The structure reflects the Order’s purpose: to perform a targeted amendment rather than to rework the substantive law.
Who Does This Legislation Apply To?
The rectification order applies to the legal text of the Road Traffic Act itself. In practical terms, it affects everyone who relies on the Road Traffic Act’s provisions—drivers, vehicle owners, enforcement officers, prosecutors, defence counsel, and the courts or tribunals—because they must interpret and apply section 64(3) correctly.
However, the Order does not create a new category of persons subject to road traffic regulation. Instead, it corrects the internal reference within the Act. Therefore, its “applicability” is best understood as applying to the interpretation of section 64(3) of the Road Traffic Act (as it appears in the relevant revised edition), rather than to a distinct set of regulated persons.
Why Is This Legislation Important?
Even though the Order is brief, it is important for legal certainty. Statutory cross-references are foundational to legal interpretation. A wrong reference can lead to inconsistent arguments, unnecessary litigation, or incorrect application of the law. Rectification orders help ensure that the published revised text matches the intended legal meaning.
For practitioners, the correction from “subsection (1)” to “section 42” in section 64(3) is a concrete interpretive point. When advising clients, drafting submissions, or preparing for hearings, counsel should ensure that they cite and apply the corrected wording. This is especially relevant when dealing with older versions of the Road Traffic Act (e.g., the 2004 edition) or when reviewing historical cases where the statutory text may have been quoted from a particular edition.
The Order also illustrates a broader compliance and research lesson: always check the legislation timeline and the version you are reading. The extract indicates that the Order is a “current version” as at 27 Mar 2026, but the rectification itself is tied to the Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276, 2004 Ed.). Lawyers should therefore verify whether the corrected wording is reflected in the current consolidated version of the Road Traffic Act and how the amendment is carried forward.
Finally, rectification orders reinforce the reliability of Singapore’s legislative revision process. The Law Revision Commission’s role is to produce revised editions that are accurate and user-friendly. When errors are discovered—particularly in cross-references—rectification orders provide a mechanism to correct them without waiting for a full legislative overhaul.
Related Legislation
- Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276) — including section 64(3) and the referenced section 42
- Revised Edition of the Laws Act — the authorising statute for rectification orders (including section 23(1) and presentation under section 23(2))
Source Documents
This article provides an overview of the Revised Edition of the Laws (Road Traffic Act) (Rectification) Order 2005 for legal research and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult the official text for authoritative provisions.