Certificates used as evidence in traffic offence cases
Road Traffic Act section 139 allows specified certificates and records to provide prima facie evidence in traffic offence proceedings, including vehicle status, inspection, weight and measured speed.
Primary source: https://sso.agc.gov.sg/Act/RTA1961?ProvIds=pr139-
Certificates used as evidence in traffic offence cases
What section 139 covers
In proceedings under the Road Traffic Act or its rules, section 139 lets specified records and certificates serve as prima facie evidence of stated facts. “Prima facie” means evidence sufficient unless it is rebutted; it does not make the certificate conclusive (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 139).
A certified extract of vehicle-registration records or a vehicle licence is prima facie evidence of registration or licensing for the stated period. A certificate signed by the Registrar or Deputy Commissioner of Police can provide prima facie proof of whether a vehicle was registered to a person, who its registered owner was, or whether a person held a licence (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 139(1)–(2)).
For a question about a vehicle’s construction, equipment, condition of use, identification marks or markings, an officer of the Registrar’s office may certify an examination and its result. The certificate is admissible and is prima facie evidence of the facts or opinions it states about those matters. The officer need not be called for cross-examination unless credible contrary evidence is given, or the court considers cross-examination necessary or desirable in the interests of justice. If the prosecution intends to rely on this certificate, it must give the defendant a copy at least 10 clear days before trial (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 139(3)–(5)).
For a vehicle or load weighed on a weighbridge or weighing machine, a certificate from the public officer in charge can be prima facie proof of its weight. The certificate must state that the weighing equipment was examined within the previous 12 months and found accurate (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 139(6)).
For a speeding offence, a certificate can establish the measured speed when signed by an inspector-rank or more senior police officer who was in charge of the measuring apparatus. It must certify that the apparatus was examined within the previous 3 months and found accurate. The section says the court is to accept the certificate as prima facie proof (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 139(8)).
Section 139 also provides certificates for whether specified notices, documents, licences, plates or other items were sent, served, received or not received. These are admissible as prima facie proof of the certified facts (Singapore Statutes Online, Road Traffic Act 1961, s. 139(7)).
Coverage debt
Section 139 describes evidential rules, not how a defendant obtains a certificate, challenges the underlying measurement, or conducts a defence. The cited provision does not explain when the court will find contrary evidence credible or when it will require an officer to attend for cross-examination.