Debated in Parliament on 3 Apr 2017.
Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources (a) in the last two years, how many motorcycles entering Singapore from Malaysia have been issued summonses for emitting vehicle noise beyond permissible levels; (b) whether there are plans to step up enforcement actions, especially at BKE areas, for vehicles that emit loud vehicular noise and causing disturbances to housing estates near the expressway; and (c) whether there are plans to review and lower the level of permissible noise emitted by vehicles.
The National Environment Agency (NEA) regulates noise emission standards for new and existing vehicles. These standards are internationally benchmarked and are regularly reviewed. Vehicles to be registered for use on roads in Singapore are required to comply with the noise emission standards prescribed in the Environmental Protection and Management (Vehicular Emissions) Regulations. Existing vehicles undergo mandatory periodic inspections, which include ensuring that the vehicles comply with the in-use noise emission standards. Passing the periodic inspection is needed for the renewal of the road tax.
NEA and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) conduct joint enforcement blitzes against noisy vehicles. LTA takes action against the owners of motorcycles with illegal exhaust modifications, which are one of the main causes of excessive noise emissions. Since the beginning of 2016, 38 foreign motorcycles have been stopped by LTA for suspected illegal exhaust modifications. The owners of such foreign vehicles are referred to the Department of Environment in Malaysia, which will then notify them to send their vehicles for inspection and to rectify any illegal modifications before they are allowed to use their vehicles on the road. NEA and LTA take into account public feedback when deciding on the locations for enforcement blitzes, and they will look into the areas suggested by the Member.
PAPERCUTS