TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung’s Police Department said Sunday that in the first half of this year, it worked with environmental and motor vehicle authorities to crack down on two-wheelers exceeding noise limits, issuing a total of NT$408,000 (US$13,900) in fines.
The department reported that authorities conducted 63 inspections on major roads across the city during this period, stopping 437 scooters and motorcycles suspected of illegal noise-related modifications. Of those, 123 were fined, per CNA. The department hopes that these enforcement efforts will deter illegal vehicle modifications.
In the first half of this year, the department also recorded 361 violations specifically related to illegally modified exhausts. Under the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act, owners of motorcycles found with illegal exhaust modifications face fines ranging from NT$900 to NT$1,800.
Local environmental protection bureaus may also impose fines ranging from NT$1,800 to NT$3,600 under the Noise Control Act for excessive noise caused by the removal of mufflers or altered exhausts. Affected vehicle owners will be required to restore their scooters to their original factory condition and undergo mandatory inspection.
Since 2023, the Taoyuan City Government has strengthened enforcement against excessive noise from scooters. As of this year, average noise levels in the city have dropped by nearly six decibels, and related violations have decreased by more than 30%.
On Friday, Taoyuan’s Police Department also conducted an enforcement sweep in the city’s Taoyuan District, stopping 27 vehicles. Fourteen were found to violate noise regulations, resulting in NT$56,400 in fines.
The New Taipei City Government reported that it carried out 219 inspections on major roads across the city last year, resulting in 4,059 citations for illegally modified scooters. In January alone, authorities recorded 83 cases involving illegal exhaust modifications and 32 scooters failing exhaust emissions tests.
According to New Taipei's Environmental Protection Department, the city has installed 200 smart enforcement devices along its major roads. The department also utilizes big data analysis to pinpoint noise hotspots caused by scooters, allowing them to strengthen enforcement in these areas through smart monitoring technology.
