Karma is a bitch. The car enthusiasts who have been having a great time beating up cyclists this week are now scrambling for support after this article came out.
LTA reviewing penalty framework as more are caught for illegally modifying their vehicles
by Sumita Sreedharan
04:45 AM Aug 23, 2012
SINGAPORE - As the number of summonses issued for illegal vehicle modifications rose by 41 per cent in the first six months of this year, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is reviewing the penalty framework to determine whether there is a need to "enhance their deterrent effect".
According to the LTA, the average monthly figure for such infringements was 863 for the first six months of this year, an increase from the monthly average of 611 last year.
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew had revealed this in a written parliamentary reply to Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Gan Thiam Poh last week.
The MP had asked Mr Lui if the LTA would consider prohibiting the sales of motor vehicle parts and accessories that may enable motorists to modify their motor vehicles to produce noise beyond prescribed or acceptable levels in Singapore.
When contacted by TODAY, Mr Gan said that such vehicles were not only noisy but could also pose a danger to other road users if modified incorrectly.
He also felt the authorities should do more to control "potential troublemakers".
"It's an islandwide problem so the authorities should do more to control the problem at the source," said Mr Gan, who is a member of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport.
In response to TODAY's queries, the LTA said the most common offences are modified exhausts, tinted windows and various lighting infringements. These offences are commonly detected during periodic and ad-hoc vehicle inspections, added the LTA.
In his written reply, Mr Lui said the LTA, the National Environment Agency and the Traffic Police are cognisant of the noise problem associated with illegally modified vehicles and have stepped up joint enforcement actions.
Transport consultant Tham Chen Munn felt that no matter how small the infringement, the same punishment should be meted out to curb irresponsible behaviour on roads here.
"This is simply because the intentions of the driver are quite clear: The car will be used beyond its normal operating intention, and this endangers lives," he said.
Mr Tham further suggested that the authorities step up enforcement and conduct "raids" at car workshops to ensure that such illegal modifications do not take place.
In a bid to clamp down on modification done across the Causeway, Mr Tham felt that the LTA should collaborate with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore to detect such infringements at the checkpoints.
In his written response, Mr Lui said there are no plans to restrict the import and sales of after-market vehicle parts and accessories as there are legitimate uses, for instance, on off-road vehicles or for export to other countries.
Reply With Quote
. This is a lugged steel cromoly frame. If you take more closeup photos, then can see clearer. Of the lugs and dropouts, components. Do you see any embossed words or logos on the frame?
