Heavy traffic expected at Singapore-Malaysia land checkpoints during September school holidays

Singapore’s Woodlands and Tuas land checkpoints are expected to face heavy traffic during the September school holidays from Sept. 4 to 14, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said.

The authority urged travellers to plan ahead, travel in the early morning or late evening where possible, and check checkpoint conditions before setting out. It warned that security checks have taken longer since Feb. 28 because of what it called the “heightened global security environment, particularly recent developments in the Middle East.”

ICA encouraged travellers to use QR codes generated through the MyICA mobile app. QR-code clearance and facial recognition for motorcycle riders and passengers have increased peak-period departure throughput by more than 35%, adding about 7,600 travellers per hour compared with 2019 levels.

“

While driving on roads leading to and within the land checkpoints, motorists are to cooperate with ICA officers, observe lane discipline and comply with traffic rules.

Motorists were told to follow lane rules, obey traffic regulations and cooperate with officers. Drivers who cut queues will have to make a U-turn and rejoin at the back, while those who disobey instructions or commit traffic offences could face firm action.

During the Aug. 7 to 10 National Day weekend, more than 2.1 million travellers used the two crossings. The daily volume peaked at more than 593,000 on Aug. 7, and departing cars faced waits of up to three hours because of traffic tailbacks from Malaysia. ICA said 13 motorists were caught for traffic-related offences and dangerous driving behaviour during that period.

“

Queue cutting disrupts traffic flow and delays other travellers. Those caught queue cutting will be directed to make a U-turn and re-join the queue from the back.