Island-wide sting operation against errant PMD and PAB retailers

A total of 18 personal mobility devices (PMDs) and 2 power-assisted bicycles (PABs) were seized in an island-wide sting operation by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) from 17 July to 2 August 2018 on 18 retailers of PMDs and PABs.

In a press release on Tuesday (14 February), LTA stated that such enforcement blitzes against errant retailers will help to tackle the issue of non-compliant devices upstream.

Under the Active Mobility Act (AMA) and the Road Traffic Act (RTA), only devices that comply with prescribed device criteria for PMDs and PABs can be used on public paths and roads.

According to the authority, five retailers were found either displaying or advertising non-compliant devices.

Under the AMA and RTA, it is an offence for a retailer to display or advertise non-compliant devices. First-time offenders can be fined up to $1,000 and/or face imprisonment of up to three months.

The authority also noted that it is also an offence for a retailer to sell non-compliant devices or modify any device belonging to a customer to a non-compliant state for use on public paths or roads. First time offenders can be fined up to $5,000 and/or face imprisonment of up to three months.

Five retailers were also caught for failing to display LTA’s prescribed warning notice. Retailers of PMDs and PABs are required to display warning notices on their premises stating, among other things, the technical criteria for different devices and where they are allowed to be used.

LTA stated that first time offenders can be fined up to $1,000 and/or face imprisonment of up to three months.

LTA stressed that it will continue to actively enforce against errant retailers. Members of the public are also advised to exercise caution and ensure they only purchase compliant devices if they wish to use the devices on public paths or roads.