Singapore has introduced new rules and made changes to its Road Traffic Act, which are set to come into effect from 1 February.

According to the Straits Times reports, one specific change made to the rules concerns mobile device usage while driving.

Beginning next month, it will be illegal for a driver to use or hold any type of mobile device while the vehicle is on the move.

"The new law is applicable to all drivers on Singaporean roads and penalties will be severe."

The new law is applicable to all drivers on Singaporean roads and penalties will be severe.

Earlier in September, rules were passed under which texting or making a call on a mobile phone was deemed an offence.

The ST report further adds that the new rules do not mention wearable technology such as the Google Glass.

The changes are said to have come due to an increase in the number of summonses for using a mobile phone while driving in recent years to 3,572 in 2013 from 2,938 in 2012.

Changes in the new rules include surfing the web, visiting social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and downloading material.

According to the law, it is not illegal to use a mobile device when the car is running.