Written Reply by Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung to Parliamentary Question on Proposal to Install Acoustic Cameras to Identify Noisy Vehicles for Enforcement Action

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry has plans to install acoustic cameras to identify noisy vehicles for enforcement action.

Reply by Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung:

1.     Excessive vehicle noise is caused by a variety of factors, such as illegal modifications to vehicles, vehicle design, and irresponsible driver behaviour.

2.     The National Environment Agency (NEA) sets the noise emission standards for new and in-use vehicles. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) requires vehicles to undergo mandatory, periodic inspections to ensure they meet NEA’s noise emission standards for in-use vehicles and have not been illegally modified. In between inspections, LTA takes action against illegally modified vehicles, based on complaints and regular enforcement efforts with the Traffic Police.

3.     There are currently no plans to install acoustic cameras for enforcement action against noisy vehicles, as this is a novel technique that has yet to be rigorously tested. Government agencies will continue to monitor new technologies, including acoustic cameras, for better enforcement against noisy vehicles.