Amendments to the National Road Traffic Act will go a long way in fighting vehicle crime, Business Against Crime SA (Bacsa) said on Tuesday.
“The application of microdot technology to all motor vehicles will strengthen the police's ability to identify stolen or hijacked vehicles,” chief executive Graham Wright said in a statement.
“These regulatory changes follow more than a decade of consistent and sustained effort by Bacsa and various parties within government and business to secure the identity of all motor vehicles.”
From September 1, all vehicles registered for the first time would need to be fitted with microdots.
All vehicles requiring SA Police clearance have had to fitted with microdots since last week.
Wright said this meant that the police could now identify parts from stolen vehicles even if the vehicle has been 'chopped up' for the illegal spare parts market.
“Microdots are the most cost effective, easy to use and enduring technology available in securing and preserving the identity of a motor vehicle,” he said.
Microdot technology works through the application of thousands of small polymeric or metallic discs inscribed with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or an agreed PIN.
These discs are applied in various locations on the vehicle through hand held, low pressure, spray systems.
Confirmation of vehicle identity is done by extracting a sample of the material and looking at it through a low powered microscope.
Once applied, the microdots are difficult to remove and serve as a lasting reminder of the original identity of the vehicle and its parts. - Sapa