Minister calls for crackdown on sale of non-compliant LED vehicle lights

Assistant Minister for Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport Naisa Tuinaceva has called for closer coordination between authorities, importers and retailers to prevent the sale of non-compliant LED vehicle lights that can later leave motorists facing penalties.

Mr Tuinaceva said consumers could unknowingly purchase LED lights believing they met legal requirements, only to find they were not compliant when installed in their vehicles.

He said authorities should work with importers and sellers to ensure vehicle parts entering the market complied with the law.

Mr Tuinaceva also raised concerns about excessively bright LED lights, saying they could blind other motorists and potentially contribute to road accidents.

LTA steps up enforcement

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) says LED headlights are not prohibited, noting that many modern vehicles are factory-fitted with LED headlamps.

However, LTA chief executive officer Irimaia Rokosawa said low-beam headlights must be properly aligned to prevent excessive glare for oncoming traffic.

Under Regulation 57 of the Land Transport (Vehicle Registration and Construction) Regulations 2000, vehicle headlights must comply with specified safety and performance requirements.

The LTA said motorists with non-compliant LED lights could be issued Traffic Infringement Notices and may also be required to present their vehicles for inspection to confirm the defects have been rectified.

The authority said it had recorded an increase in complaints about non-conforming LED lights, particularly those producing excessive glare and affecting the visibility of other road users.

It said enforcement against non-compliant vehicle lighting had been strengthened as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety.