"Government to monitor car noise"

[JohnD]

The Rac are frothing because the Gov intent to "banish loud engines and car noise": DfT announce new trial to banish loud engine and exhausts | RAC Drive

Yet another imposition on the Police?    How are they to be expected to enforce it?   There are NO regulations on permitted car noise.  Even the MoT just says, in the instructions to examiners, "You must use your judgement to assess exhaust noise"

That  will not suffice with those spotty yoofs whose Clios have straight throughs, so what is Plod to do?

John

[Hamish]

I recon it will be automated like a speed camera. 
 

Sound level meter set to trigger a camera

[Hamish]

There are some hints at levels

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/805940/roadside-vehicle-noise-measurement-phase-1-study-report-and-technology-recommendations.pdf

 

https://www.essex.police.uk/foi-ai/essex-police/our-policies-and-procedures/h/h0504-procedure---loud-exhaust-offences/

 

https://classicsworld.co.uk/news/loud-exhausts-targeted-by-police/

[Nick Jones]

More of a problem for bikes (motor) IMO.

[Mark]

Another nice little cash cow.

[Escadrille Ecosse]

About bloody time frankly said the grumpy old man.

The really noisy poppers and bangers out there will almost certainly have removed the catalytic converters as well so hopefully get a double whammy with each one. If as John points out plod get a chance with this.

15 hours ago, Mark said:

Another nice little cash cow.

Good. Anything that keeps my tax bill down. In fact the more 'taxes' imposed on the stupid, thoughtless or anti-social the better the way things are at the moment financially.

Edited May 24, 2022 by Escadrille Ecosse

[PeterC]

Soon there will be complaints that ecars are too quiet and cause alarm by silently running down pedestrians and cyclists.  There will be a market for recordings of Triumphs at full chat..............

[JohnD]

Good research, Hamish!   But my point was that there is no noise limit in UK law, nothing that says, so far and no further.   

Essex Police say, "the sound emitted by an exhaust fitted to a standard car must not exceed 80dB."   Where is that from?   Certainly not The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986.      Therein appear:

Regulation 54(2) "Every exhaust system and silencer shall be maintained in good and efficient working order and shall not be altered so as to increase the noise made by the escape of exhaust gases."

Regulation 97, "No motor vehicle shall be used on a road in such manner as to cause any excessive noise which could have been avoided by the exercise of reasonable care on the part of the driver."

No limit, no figure, just "excessive".     Any smart lawyer could run rings around that, and the yoofs who spend their money on noisy mods will be able to hire a very smart brief.

 

Motorsport has to protect itself against noise complaints and so the Sporting Regulations are very detailed about how much is allowed, at what engine speed and how the noise is to be measured.   Can't argue with that although a lawyer will!    

I expect that this initiative will fail in the face of arguments in court!

John

[Escadrille Ecosse]

20 minutes ago, PeterC said:

Soon there will be complaints that ecars are too quiet and cause alarm by silently running down pedestrians and cyclists.  There will be a market for recordings of Triumphs at full chat..............

Now that would definitely be a 'good thing'