Singapore to fine noisy vehicles

Singapore to fine noisy vehicles

SINGAPORE (AFP): Singapore's environment ministry will crack down on diesel vehicles and motorcycles that are too noisy or emit too much smoke, a newspaper report said yesterday.

Offenders will face court action and fines of up to 2,000 Singapore dollars (US$1,307) under the effort to reduce carbon monoxide, sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide and lead pollution.

The move came despite several educational campaigns since 1991 to encourage vehicle owners and drivers to maintain their vehicles properly, the Sunday Times said.

Apart from more frequent roadside checks, the authorities will also conduct individual surprise inspections. There are some 146,000 diesel vehicles and 115,000 motorcycles registered in Singapore while an estimated 4,000 diesel vehicles and 25,000 motorcycles enter Singapore daily from Malaysia.