71 vehicle-related offences recorded in joint enforcement blitz

[StarshipTroopers]

Updated: 10/31/2013 14:13 | By Channel NewsAsia

71 vehicle-related offences recorded in joint enforcement blitz

SINGAPORE: 71 offences were recorded in a three-and-a-half-hour joint enforcement blitz targeted at vehicle-related offences on Wednesday.

The blitz was a coordinated effort by the National Environment Agency (NEA), the Land Transport Authority (LTA), and the Traffic Police, in addition to each agency's on-going enforcement operations.

The offences included visible smoke emission, excessive noise emission, and illegal modifications.

46 of the offences recorded involved visible smoke emission.

NEA noted that with the recent increase in smoky and noisy vehicles on the roads, the joint blitz it participated in serves as a timely reminder to vehicle owners of the need to maintain their vehicles regularly.

For the period from January and September this year, NEA issued 5,809 fines to drivers of smoky vehicles.

In 2012, the number was 6,381 - more than 2011's number of 4,794 and 2010's number of 5,199.

NEA said the increase in the number of fines issued in 2012 was due to stepped-up enforcement action against smoky vehicles on the road.

The three agencies said they aim to raise awareness of motorists so as to ensure that their vehicles undergo regular maintenance to prevent smoke emission.

This is to minimise pollution and ensure Singapore's air quality meets the World Health Organisation's Air Quality Guidelines in the long term.

Motorists should also practise good driving habits, such as not revving the engines unnecessarily to prevent noise and smoke pollution as well as ensure that vehicle modifications comply with LTA's guidelines. - CNA/xq