Enhanced Action Against Drivers of Vehicles with Illegally Modified Exhaust Systems

15 Mr Lim Biow Chuan asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the Traffic Police will monitor and take action against drivers of vehicles with illegally modified exhaust systems that cause noise pollution along expressways, such as the East Coast Parkway; and (b) whether enhanced action can be taken against such drivers.

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Sir, enforcement against illegal modification of vehicles, which includes illegal modification of exhaust systems, is done by the Land Transport Authority (LTA). LTA conducts regular enforcement operations to deter and detect illegal modifications. The Traffic Police (TP) will refer such cases it comes across to LTA.

Individuals or workshops that make illegal modifications and individuals who drive illegally modified vehicles may be fined up to $5,000 or imprisoned up to three months, or both. Repeat offenders may be fined up to $10,000 or imprisoned up to six months, or both. The vehicle may also be detained.

Mr Speaker: Mr Lim.

Mr Lim Biow Chuan (Mountbatten): Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister of State for the reply. Unfortunately, despite all the punitive actions to be taken, the problem does not seem to be mitigated. So, my Mountbatten residents are also complaining that vehicles travelling down the East Coast Parkway, because of their modified exhausts, are making a lot of noise. So, either we step up the enforcement or if I can ask the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) whether they would implement any other kind of regulations to deter people from modifying, speeding and creating noise at unearthly hours.

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary question. Indeed, we not only look at specific issues but we also look at the feedback that we receive. We also carry out joint operations when we receive such information. We will not only look at the area but we also relate them to the different devices as well as information that each agency would have. So, we will continue to look into the specific area that the Member has shared and see how we can address the issue.

Nevertheless, what is key is that we continue to monitor the situation in such issues that have been raised in certain areas. So, coming from the TP side, we work very closely with the ground and, if need be, we will also work with the community in the area.

Mr Speaker: Mr Gan Thiam Poh.

Mr Gan Thiam Poh (Ang Mo Kio): I thank the Minister of State. May I ask if there is a guideline on the acceptable noise level between a modified vehicle and a sports car?

Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Indeed, there are guidelines and, in fact, if you look at it, over the years, especially starting from this year, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has taken on a more stringent approach. So, you can see that things are more stringent and tighter today. What is key is that we need to work together with the community as well as the whole-of-Government agencies. This is something that we have been doing. There may be cases here and there, but we will look at them and address the issues together with the community and the agencies.