[NMNeil]

I know that you have some in the UK and they are now beginning to appear in major cities here, so this is interesting.
https://www.carscoops.com/2024/08/lamborghini-owner-sues-new-york-city-over-noise-camera-ticket/

[onestitchloose]

I never even realised noise cameras were a thing. Whereabouts in the UK are they?

[NMNeil]

Select areas of London, so far.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/worl...as-since-june/
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style...nt-fine-seized

[Mark07]

It'll be interesting to see how that case works itself out, I imagine we'll eventually see something similar.

From another POV, the car owner bought a car which will struggle to comply with the law of the city/state? I guess it'll come down to what is more important, a person's right to make noise vs everyone's right to not be disturbed by individuals.

I did smile when I read the paragraph that implies they wouldn't be able to afford the fines... the car is worth $200k - $250k.

[NMNeil]

I don't know anywhere that it's a right to make noise, over here we call it a public or private nuisance and can take whoever is causing the nuisance to court to make them stop.
https://www.thedrive.com/news/41700/...oyed-neighbors

[Mark07]

You don't see people do it anymore, but the old tradition of tying cans to the back of a car after someone gets married is illegal in the UK.

Does anyone know why? Is it for noise reasons? Or, is it a risk of flying off and hurting someone?

[Rolebama]

NMNeill: There are laws about noise levels in the UK, specifically mentioning noise which can be heard outside the perimeters of the premises causing the noise, although they only really come into effect outside 'normal working hours'. Used to be covered by Envirenmental Health Act but now seem to come under anti-social behaviour laws.

Mark07: I think it's a bit of both with regard to tin cans and just married. The haters are just draining the fun out of everything. Unfortunately these characters get into positions where they can do this.

On a side note I remember the 'penny for the guy' times before it was made illegal as a form of begging. Yet it seems acceptable to 'trick or treat' which, by the same token is demanding money with menaces.

[NMNeil]

An update
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/le...l-first-trial/

[olduser]

I think I am correct in saying the UK vehicle construction regulations (2006) set maximum noise from cars at 74db, motor bikes 80db, and heavy goods 81 to 85db. (decibels is a logarithmic scale)
These sound levels will involve measuring sound at a specific distance from the source of the sound, in this case an exhaust pipe.
If you build a kit car or import a vehicle not constructed to the UK standards, it has to be tested to see if it complies with the UK regulations, this includes noise level.
By implication if you modify a vehicle, it ought to be tested.

As far as I am aware, all police authorities in the UK have a Sound Level Meter, and do use them.

I think the man referred to, should have been suing the car dealership, on the grounds the car did not comply with local regulations, not the local authority.

[NMNeil]

@olduser I agree, it's down to the manufacturer.
But some states have a better idea. If the police stop someone fro a loud exhaust, and they carry db meters, then the driver gets a ticket that carries a hefty fine, much like the $800 in New York. But they can avoid the fine if they get the exhaust fixed and inspected at the police department (stops them having it inspected by a 'friend' in the trade)
The logic is that just fining them doesn't fix the actual problem, and if the fine is too low they just accept it as the cost of being annoying.
Not sure how effective it is though.

[olduser]

Originally Posted by NMNeil

@olduser I agree, it's down to the manufacturer.
But some states have a better idea. If the police stop someone fro a loud exhaust, and they carry db meters, then the driver gets a ticket that carries a hefty fine, much like the $800 in New York. But they can avoid the fine if they get the exhaust fixed and inspected at the police department (stops them having it inspected by a 'friend' in the trade)
The logic is that just fining them doesn't fix the actual problem, and if the fine is too low they just accept it as the cost of being annoying.
Not sure how effective it is though.

It doe's appear to be a more logical system, giving you chance to fix the problem, and I doubt the, 'victim' will be inclined to try it again.

[olduser]

Originally Posted by onestitchloose

I never even realised noise cameras were a thing. Whereabouts in the UK are they?

I saw a bit on the TV news, one of the London borough's has been trying them, and are going to get more.
When I first read the comment on here, I was puzzled how do you get a sound camera?
It turns out to be a microphone, and if the output is above a certain level it, triggers a camera to photograph the offending car, resulting in a fixed penalty.
It is not measuring sound in the construction regulations sense but rather in a nuisance sense.
Meaning the car may be legal but because it was driven with the loud pedal to the floor, your nicked.

I suppose it's fair because, if you are giving it lots of welly in a built up area you were probably playing at boy racers anyway.

I am not sure a fixed penalty will make much difference to the drivers that can afford to drive that sort of car on a wide open throttle.

[NMNeil]

It's not only the exhaust noise they're clamping down on.
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/mot...ivers-30266687

[olduser]

Our ears are quite democratic, any loud nose will cause hearing loss, vehicle exhausts, music, jet engines, mechanical noise, etc.

When you start to notice how all the young folk mumble and talk so fast your noticing your hearing loss.