SHENZHEN traffic police recently impounded a vehicle refitted for road racing, Shenzhen Evening News reported.

A netizen reported on the microblogging platform Weibo that a refitted white Toyota Reiz was racing and randomly changed lanes on the Maogongba Tunnel of Longgang District at

9:23 p.m. Friday. The city’s traffic police authority immediately launched an investigation after receiving the report and located the vehicle at a local parking lot. After an on-site inquiry, the driver of the refitted car, surnamed Lu, pleaded guilty to his offense. It was initially determined that the refitted auto parts included the exhaust system, wheel hub and shock absorber.

The vehicle was impounded by the traffic police and the case is under further investigation.

According to the city’s traffic police, illegally refitted, loud and disruptive vehicles will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The owner of a illegally refitted vehicle will be fined 2,000 yuan (US$309.62), while any person or organization involved in the refitting will be fined 10,000 yuan.

The city also bans the production, sale and import of motor vehicles exceeding the prescribed noise limits, and the refitting or removing of the muffler. Violators will be fined 1,000 yuan.

Separately, Shenzhen’s traffic police launched an action targeting e-bike traffic violations yesterday in a fresh attempt to improve safety and curb road accidents. The action focused on rectifying irregularities, including using false license plates, running red lights, using a motor vehicle lane, riding against the traffic, and deliverymen not wearing a helmet.

Nonregistered e-bikes using forged or altered license plates will be impounded by the traffic police with a fine of 5,000 yuan; nonregistered e-bikes using others’ license plates will be fined 2,000 yuan; registered e-bikes using forged or altered license plates will be fined 300 yuan, according to the city’s road safety rules.

Strict punishment will be imposed on registered e-bikes that cover or fail to install required license plates and traffic violations caused while using others’ license plates.

(Zhang Yu, Lai Huijun)