Caught by a Noise Camera!?
The intentions are good as The Department for Transport is targeting drivers with vehicles that are breaking legal noise limits and annoying everyone else. These cameras could use automated number plate recognition to help enforcement.
It should not be aimed at the law-abiding motorist with roadworthy, MOT’d vehicle who drives normally. This programme will target the socially irresponsible that who rev car or motorcycles engines excessively, usually to show off or draw a crowd, making life a misery for anyone close by. Indeed, exposure to noise can have significant physical and mental health implications – with heart attacks, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and stress all linked to long-term contact with loud environments.
Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling has weighed into this debate and said, “Noise pollution makes the lives of people in communities across Britain an absolute misery and has very serious health impacts.
“This is why I am determined to crack down on the nuisance drivers who blight our streets.
“New technology will help us lead the way in making our towns and cities quieter, and I look forward to seeing how these exciting new cameras could work.
“The trial is not intended to target law-abiding drivers, but those who are flouting laws around noise. All vehicles must legally meet strict noise limits before they are allowed on the road. Once a vehicle is in service, exhausts and silencers must by law be maintained in good working order and not altered to increase noise.”
So, look after your car correctly and ensure that it is properly maintained and you won’t have to worry about these so-called ‘noise cameras’. If you disagree then please let us know through the usual channels.
Further Reading
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