Debated in Parliament on 4 Oct 2022.
Mr Derrick Goh asked the Minister for Transport (a) in the 12 months since the increased penalties for illegal vehicle modifications on 1 July 2021, what is the number of enforcement actions against vehicle owners and workshops; (b) how do the numbers compare with the 12 months prior to 1 July 2021; and (c) given the rise in motor vehicle traffic in 2022, whether there are more enforcement checks made against errant vehicle owners and workshops.
Vehicle safety is a key concern, and over the years, Land Transport Authority (LTA) has stepped up efforts to deter illegal modifications. Specifically, one of the measures was to increase the composition sum for first-time offenders who conduct illegal exhaust modifications, which have the highest safety risks, from $500 to $1,000. Offenders of more egregious cases can be taken to Court, even if they are first-time offenders. With these enhanced penalties as a deterrent, there was a 10% decrease in the number of offences issued against individuals for illegal exhaust modifications, compared to the 12 months before.
At the same time, LTA increased general enforcement efforts against all illegal modifications. Since July 2021, LTA has issued a total of 9,000 offences against individuals for all illegal modifications, which is an increase of 6%, compared to the previous 12 months. LTA also charged six workshops for illegally modifying vehicles, up from two workshops for the 12 months before. Illegal modifications can endanger all road users, including the driver. We urge all motorists to ensure that their planned vehicle modifications comply with LTA's guidelines, which are published on the OneMotoring website.
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