By William isau
SIBU, May 18: Forty vehicles with retrofitted with illegal Light Emitting Diode (LED) and High Intensity Discharge (HID) type headlights were pulled over during Ops Silau last night in Jalan Oya.
“The (owners of the) said vehicles have been ordered under Section 61(1) of the Road Transport Act (APJ) 1987 to change the headlights to the original ones installed from the factory,” said Road Transport Department (JPJ) Sibu head Mohamad Faizal David Jemathas today.
Under the section, any owner who fails to do so within 10 days from the date the notice is issued will be charged in court.
Mohamad Faizal added that vehicles fitted with HID type headlights were also issued the same notice along with a notice prohibiting the use of the vehicle and were subject to a summons.
“When it has been changed to the original lights (as installed from the factory) the owner must immediately bring their vehicle to the nearest JPJ counter for inspection and verification purposes.
“If the owner fails to do so within the 10-day period that has been set, they will be charged for the offense of failing to comply with the notice,” he explained.
Faizal said, retrofitting LED and HID lights is an offense under Rule 94 of the Motor Vehicle (Construction and Use) Rules 1959 and vehicle owners can be fined under Section 119(1) APJ 1987 up to RM2,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six months.
“We have received many complaints from the public regarding many vehicles in the town with white lights that dazzle and affect the vision of other drivers. This can endanger the safety of the driver himself as well as other road users.
“Operations like this will continue from time to time in addition to daily operations to raise awareness among vehicle owners in this city not to modify vehicles that violate the law and endanger the safety of other road users,” he said.
Faizal said, vehicle owners can refer to the JPJ Automotive Engineering Unit before making modifications to their vehicles to avoid legal action. — DayakDaily
