(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN- With winter creeping closer, police will be paying closer attention to vehicle defects.

RCMP say illegal vehicle modifications that go against the Motor Vehicle Act are actually quite common in the Thompson-Okanagan.

According to a release issued by Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey, these are the top six vehicle defects that drivers are issued tickets for:

1. Vehicle suspension or lift kits - Lifting or lowering a vehicle's suspension height by more than 10 cm (3.9 in) from the original specification by the manufacturer. The Motor Vehicle Act Regulations says that a vehicle cannot be driven, operated or parked on a B.C. highway until it has been inspected by a certified inspector at a designated facility. The inspection facility must ensure the modifications meet up-to-date safety standards.

2. Headlight and headlight height - Anyone considering using High Intensity Discharge (HID) lights are advised to view the guide on the Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement website or check with an inspection facility first. Drivers using brilliant blue white light instead of white lights can catch a fine of $109. Shielded, covered, or obstructed headlights can result in a $109 fine.

3. Mud flaps and mudguards - A vehicle must be equipped with sufficient mud flaps to control the amount of splash and spray from mud and water. Mud flaps or fenders must cover the full width of the tire. Insufficient flaps can result in a $109 fine.

4. Tinted windows - "No material, which reduces the amount of light transmitted through a vehicle's window, shall be affixed more than 75 mm (2.9 in) below the top of the vehicle's windshield, a side window that is not behind the driver, or the rear window if the vehicle is equipped with an outside rear view mirror," O'Donaghey says in the release.

5. Licence plates - Vehicles in B.C. must have two licence plates, one in the front and one in the rear. Plates must be securely attached and clear from dirt and foreign materials so it can be read at all times. A $109 fine can be issued for failing to comply with licence plate regulations.

6. Windshield - Cracks, chips and clouding in windshields can cause vision impairment. A crack over 300 mm (12 in) long, more than two cracks over 150 mm (6 in) long, a rock chip over 40 mm (1.5 in) diameter, or any clouding on the driver's side are all examples of defects.  Driving a vehicle with a cracked or damaged windshield can result in a $109 fine.

- This story was corrected at 9 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2016 to include the sixth vehicle defect. This correction was made thanks to a reader comment from Lory Nosworthy.

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News from © iNFOnews, 2016