Offenders can also be facing a jail term of up to 6 months if caught with these overly loud exhaust mods.
To those who are fed up of hearing the sounds of loud motorbikes or cars in their lives, there may be good news on the horizon as the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) has recently reminded motorists that drivers and/or owners with loud exhaust on their vehicles could be fined up to RM 2,000, or face a jail term of up to 6 months, if caught.
A similar punishment that was recently enacted for drivers or owners caught with Hellaflush modification on their cars, this loud exhaust penalty here is in accordance with the rules specified under the Motor Vehicle Rules (Construction and Use) of 1959, which states that every exhaust system fitted to a motorised vehicle on the road must be in good condition at all times. The law also states that said exhaust system must not be modified in any way to cause noise.
In a statement released by Bukit Aman traffic investigation and enforcement department director Datuk Azisman Alias, this reminder to the public has been issued in an attempt to curb the rising trend of loud exhaust modifications. A trend which is apparently gaining a tremendous amount of momentum among the youths of today, who mistakenly believe that a loud exhaust would make their motorbikes faster and/or more aesthetically appealing.
As a further deterrent therefore, the department chief notes that the police have the authority to seize the offending vehicles under the the provision of the Road Transport Act 1987. This is such as to prevent repeat offences from occurring.
While primarily targeted to motorcycles, cars are also not exempt from this existing law. In fact, the police have stated that they been routinely conducting joint with other departments and agencies, including the Department of Environment (JAS) to crackdown on offenders of this misdemeanour.
During these operations, the exhaust noise levels of the overly-loud vehicles will be measured. And if the measured value exceeds that of the JPJ-approved value, a compound will thus be issued to the owner of the vehicle, be it a motorcycle or a car, in question.
Speaking more on the topic of loud exhausts, while it is true that a free-er flowing exhaust does improve performance somewhat, the performance benefits are not necessarily in direct relation to its loudness. Just think of how the modern supercars, Porsches in particular, are still mind-bogglingly quick despite the quiet exhausts due to the additional particulate filters demanded by tightening emissions regulations.
Moreover, while the pops, crackles and burbles emanating loud exhaust will perhaps be appreciated by some auto enthusiasts, it is nevertheless worth remembering that this group who derives enjoyment from this act is very much in the minority. Many regular folk on the other hand rather detest the sound of screeching wail of an engine, especially when heard during the late hours of the night or in the wee hours of the morning.
