SINGAPORE - Twenty-five motorists were booked for smoky vehicle and idling engine offences by the National Environment Agency (NEA) on Thursday (Nov 3).

The enforcement operation was carried out from 10am to 5pm at Woodlands, Marsiling, Telok Blangah and Bukit Merah, NEA said in a statement.

A total of 12 vehicles were caught for emitting excessive smoke, of which four were foreign-registered. Thirteen vehicles were caught idling.

NEA enforcement officers also distributed educational pamphlets to motorists to educate them about reducing air pollution.

NEA reminded drivers to regularly maintain their vehicles, and avoid overloading them. They should also engage the correct gear in order to prevent smoke emission, NEA said.

They should also switch off their vehicle engine when the vehicle is stationary in order to minimise air pollution.

In the last three years, NEA has taken action against more than 12,000 cases of idling engines.

Since fines for idling engines rose from $70 to $100 June 1, the number of such offences have fallen by about 20 per cent, NEA said.

There were 416 cases from January to May this year, and 260 from June to September.

Owners of smoky vehicles are fined based on vehicle type and number of offences committed.