Time's up for motorists with noisy exhausts
Thursday, 22nd July 2010.
Almost 100 vehicles have had their exhausts tested for excessive noise in Suffolk following the successful trial of a new device.
Officers from the Bury Roads Policing Unit (RPU) have been testing a noise meter, and now all three RPUs in Suffolk are equipped with one.
The device is designed specifically to test the volume of exhausts, and records levels of ambient noise, idling noise and then revving to gain an average noise reading.
Most vehicles when manufactured must have exhausts emitting no more than 82 decibels, and if a modification exceeds 90db a prosecution can be brought.
Most modified vehicles tested using the new device have registered at over 100db, roughly the
equivalent of a pneumatic drill or a chainsaw.
T/Sgt Paul Stock from the Bury RPU introduced the meter, and now all RPU officers have been trained how to use it.
Since the training was completed in mid May, 96 vehicles have been stopped in Suffolk, with 68 drivers receiving fixed penalty notices for having an excessively loud exhaust.
T/Sgt Stock said: “During the trial we gave advice to drivers whose exhausts were too loud but, now all RPU officers based in Bury, Halesworth and at Police Headquarters have been trained to use the meter, we have moved on to enforcement.
"Over two thirds of those vehicles we tested had illegal exhausts and have had to pay a £30 fine as well as the cost of making the exhaust legal again.
"If the driver doesn’t remove the modification and is stopped again, we can prosecute through
the courts for failing to maintain the silencer, which could attract a fine of up to £500.
“Many motor vehicle enthusiasts modify their exhausts without realising just how loud they’re making them, and we receive regular complaints about noisy vehicles and perceived speeding which can often be down to the noise.
"Now we’re using the meter we’re also receiving
positive feedback from the communities that these loud exhausts are being dealt with.”
Officers from the Bury Roads Policing Unit (RPU) have been testing a noise meter, and now all three RPUs in Suffolk are equipped with one.
The device is designed specifically to test the volume of exhausts, and records levels of ambient noise, idling noise and then revving to gain an average noise reading.
Most vehicles when manufactured must have exhausts emitting no more than 82 decibels, and if a modification exceeds 90db a prosecution can be brought.
Most modified vehicles tested using the new device have registered at over 100db, roughly the
equivalent of a pneumatic drill or a chainsaw.
T/Sgt Paul Stock from the Bury RPU introduced the meter, and now all RPU officers have been trained how to use it.
Since the training was completed in mid May, 96 vehicles have been stopped in Suffolk, with 68 drivers receiving fixed penalty notices for having an excessively loud exhaust.
T/Sgt Stock said: “During the trial we gave advice to drivers whose exhausts were too loud but, now all RPU officers based in Bury, Halesworth and at Police Headquarters have been trained to use the meter, we have moved on to enforcement.
"Over two thirds of those vehicles we tested had illegal exhausts and have had to pay a £30 fine as well as the cost of making the exhaust legal again.
"If the driver doesn’t remove the modification and is stopped again, we can prosecute through
the courts for failing to maintain the silencer, which could attract a fine of up to £500.
“Many motor vehicle enthusiasts modify their exhausts without realising just how loud they’re making them, and we receive regular complaints about noisy vehicles and perceived speeding which can often be down to the noise.
"Now we’re using the meter we’re also receiving
positive feedback from the communities that these loud exhausts are being dealt with.”
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