Police Crackdown on Modified Cars: 24 Defect Notices Issued in One Day

NSW police, in a concerted effort to curb the trend of illegally modified cars, recently issued 24 defect notices in a single day. The operation, dubbed “Operation Dissent,” was a joint initiative involving officers from Illawarra Traffic and Highway Patrol and Transport for NSW compliance inspectors.

Operation Dissent: A Closer Look

The operation took place on Sunday, August 18, with a temporary inspection site set up in Bulli, near Wollongong. A total of 26 vehicles were put under the microscope, resulting in 12 major grounding defect notices. Additionally, 12 drivers were only permitted to drive their vehicles home.

Interestingly, 13 vehicles failed to show up at the inspection site, escalating the situation. These cases were handed over to Transport for NSW inspectors for further action.

Police defect 24 modified cars in 24-hour blitz

Operation Engage earlier this year

The Bigger Picture

Beyond the defect notices, the police also handed out 69 unrelated traffic infringement notices. As part of a comprehensive check, 26 breath tests and 26 drug tests were conducted. Two drivers were charged with drink driving offences, and four were slapped with drug driving offences.

One Driver, Multiple Offences

During the operation, a 20-year-old Volkswagen Golf GTD driver was flagged. He was charged with a staggering 11 offences, including hindering or resisting a police officer in the execution of duty, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving without insurance, and driving a defective vehicle without number plates. The charges also included driving with an expired license and various drug and weapon-related infringements.

Final Comments

Operation Dissent is set to continue throughout 2024 and beyond. This is part of a broader initiative to improve road safety and maintain standards in vehicle modifications. For vehicle enthusiasts, it underlines the importance of adhering to legal modifications and ensuring their vehicles meet roadworthy standards.

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