Common vehicle defect fines in the Okanagan

The Kelowna RCMP have released a list of the most common vehicle defects discovered by enforcement officers on the road.

1. Vehicle suspension/lift kits:  It is illegal to raise or lower a vehicles suspension height by more than 10 cm (3.9 inches) from the original basic specification of the manufacturer.  Fines for this infraction are up to $598.
2. Headlamps and headlamp height:  Vehicle owners considering changing their headlamps to High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights must consult the vehicle lighting guide on the Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement website, or a designated inspection facility to make sure the lighting change is compliant with the Motor Vehicle Act.  Fines for improper lamp location or inadequate headlamps (ie: displaying brilliant blue white instead of white light) are up to $109.  The same fine applies to headlamps that are obscured by dirt, paint, film or plastic covers.
3. Mud flaps and mudguards:  Mud flaps which fail to control the amount of spray and splash from the rear of the vehicle or that don’t cover the entire width of the tire can result in a fine of up to $109.
4. Tinted windows:  It is illegal to have material which reduced the amount of light transmitted through a vehicles window affixed more than 75 mm below the top of the windshield, on a side window that is not behind the driver, or on a rear window if the vehicle is equipped with an outside rear view mirror.  This violation can cost up to $109.
5. Windshield:  Cracks, stone chips, and even clouding in windshields can impair a drivers vision.  Cracks over 300 mm (12 inches) long, or more than two cracks 150 mm (6 inches) long, a stone injury over 40 mm in diametre or any clouding of the driver’s side of the windshield can result in a fine of up to $109.
6. Licence Plates:  Front licence plates that are missing, obstructed, or not properly affixed to the vehicle are reasons for fines.  This violation can cost up to $230.