Motorists caught for illegally modifying their vehicles include modifications to exhausts, lights and tinted windows. According to the local paper, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has recorded an average of 1,240 cases monthly which was almost ten times more than the 146 monthly average recorded in 2008. Increased enforcement efforts and public tip-offs were cited by an LTA spokesperson as reasons to the increase in cases.   

The local traffic laws have specific and stringent rules for vehicle modifications and safety is attributed as the key reason for such regulations. Modifications to the components like exhaust systems, transmission and the power units are still allowed - provided it is approved by the LTA.  

Motorists caught with modified vehicles can be fined up to $1,000 or serve a jail term no longer than three months while repeat offenders could be slapped with double the penalty.

Moreover, revised rules to the Road Traffic Act from last November now allow LTA to detain an illegally modified vehicle for up to three months, after the courts approval, when their owners are convicted. However, according to The Sunday Times, this is reserved mainly for severe cases or repeat offenders.

Yet, despite the stringent rules and penalties, most vehicle owners believe illegally modified vehicles are only as safe as the driver behind the wheel.

"It's to increase the performance of my car, I don't think it will harm my car. Plus it's cheaper than the original parts. After all, it's about the person behind the wheel," said a 26-year old, who owns a Mitsubishi Lancer.

However, Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, Mr Cedric Foo, argued illegally modified vehicles pose a danger to other road users on top of damaging the environment. "LTA should look at workshops to make sure they don't sell illegal parts, or provide illegal modifications," he added.