California’s Plan for Automated Exhaust Sound Enforcement

[Admin]

California plans to enforce sound laws with automated cameras and microphones for cars and motorcycles. (Cycle World Archives/)

Loud pipes save lives? Less sound equals more ground? Loud bikes have always been a divisive issue in the motorcycling community, which is why a news item out of California last week is sure to be controversial.

Vehicle noise laws are nothing new: The majority of state laws are detailed and specific, citing decibel levels; some even cite how they are to be measured. About 20 states use vague language like, “Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order,” or “A motor vehicle, operated on any highway, shall be in good mechanical condition and shall be properly equipped.”

Yet in our observation many vehicle-noise laws seem to go unenforced, and when a citation is issued it’s usually a “fix-it” ticket. In 2019, California added a mandatory fine (Assembly Bill No. 1824), although few have noticed any detectable change. Now there’s a new weapon in the acoustic arsenal: Starting in January 2023 and running through December 2027, California will test automated-camera exhaust-noise enforcement in six selected cities across the state.

Senate Bill 1079 isn’t specifically aimed at motorcyclists, but we’ll note that cars presently have a 95-decibel limit in the state and motorcycles 80 decibels. First-time offenders will only be issued a warning, and signs must be posted to inform motorists that they’re entering an enforcement zone.

And California isn’t alone. Paris, Nice, Toulouse, and three other French cities have recently installed méduse “sound radar” devices to photograph and cite loud vehicles.

The Underlying Issues

Give the matter a little thought, and two separate points of discussion emerge: first, modifying a vehicle’s exhaust, and second, automated law enforcement. The latter isn’t new; California has used red-light cameras for decades, with varying success. In the more, errr, more colorful parts of town where this author grew up, the authorities had to encase them in bulletproof enclosures, upping the armor level when the locals switched from handguns to rifles. Next came a spray-paint can on the end of a stick, artfully applied to the camera’s lens. In many parts of Europe, automated speed enforcement via radar and cameras is the norm.

Then there’s sound, and despite what the decibel meter says, it’s not all equal. A sound level you may find enjoyable at the racetrack or a concert is unwelcome at three in the morning. A big component is the amount of control you have—or the lack of that control. One study shows that a single unmuffled scooter, ridden through Paris, can disturb the sleep of up to 10,000 people. Riding to a Superbike or MotoGP event at Laguna Seca? The famous 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach has long been closed to motorcycles (even though this writer had ridden several bikes there—and it was great!).

Naturally, when we’re all riding electric motorcycles, this will be irrelevant. And already a friend (CB, you know who you are!) has suggested having fun with the system by sitting under one of these cameras and blasting an air horn every time a Tesla or Prius drives by.

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[Bender]

And already on trial here.... 

[MikeHorton]

35 minutes ago, Bender said:

And already on trial here.... 

I believe my wife's louder than my Honda when she's nattering away I wonder whether I can get these devices around the house to prevent such violations 

[Bender]

30 minutes ago, MikeHorton said:

I believe my wife's louder than my Honda when she's nattering away I wonder whether I can get these devices around the house to prevent such violations 

Yes, various options are available but they all invariably cost you money  

[Mickly]

9 hours ago, Bender said:

And already on trial here.... 

Do we know where and how to spot them? I have a couple of air horns & it sounds like fun

[Bender]

21 minutes ago, Mickly said:

Do we know where and how to spot them? I have a couple of air horns & it sounds like fun

As long as your on a bicycle it will be fine  

[Stu]

big brother again! 

[Gerontious]

Good idea in my opinion, there are now far more stupidly loud cars about than bikes and far too many MOT testers turning a blind eye. Better this than random areas gaining 'no motorbike" signs.. which are cropping up in parts of Germany. Because the locals have had enough.

 

Loud exhausts are a choice. Nobody is forcing you to fit one. Though in my experience the biggest culprits are a certain demographic within the HD (type) brigade.. and some, but not all. summer only weekend warriors who seem to think the more noise they make the better and bring down these kinds of measures on us all.

 

Don't just fine them. force them to comply with the law and give the rest of us a fighting chance of being left alone.

[MikeHorton]

1 minute ago, Gerontious said:

Good idea in my opinion, there are now far more stupidly loud cars about than bikes and far too many MOT testers turning a blind eye. Better this than random areas gaining 'no motorbike" signs.. which are cropping up in parts of Germany. Because the locals have had enough.

 

Loud exhausts are a choice. Nobody is forcing you to fit one. Though in my experience the biggest culprits are a certain demographic within the HD (type) brigade.. and some, but not all. summer only weekend warriors who seem to think the more noise they make the better and bring down these kinds of measures on us all.

 

Don't just fine them. force them to comply with the law and give the rest of us a fighting chance of being left alone.

I agree there I live about half a km from our town centre ring road which has become a race track. Most nights towards the end of the week it's really noisy about 10pm onwards. Local police station on the said ring road gone and the old gatsos are not in use. It used to be great sitting in the garden at night with a beer as we are tucked out the way, not any more. Usually premium German brand cars and 125s with loud exhausts responsible

[Copycat73]

been coming for some time .. now its here .... pay the fine or change your exhaust ..

[daveinlim]

6 hours ago, Gerontious said:

Good idea in my opinion, there are now far more stupidly loud cars about than bikes and far too many MOT testers turning a blind eye. Better this than random areas gaining 'no motorbike" signs.. which are cropping up in parts of Germany. Because the locals have had enough.

 

Loud exhausts are a choice. Nobody is forcing you to fit one. Though in my experience the biggest culprits are a certain demographic within the HD (type) brigade.. and some, but not all. summer only weekend warriors who seem to think the more noise they make the better and bring down these kinds of measures on us all.

 

Don't just fine them. force them to comply with the law and give the rest of us a fighting chance of being left alone.

After work yesterday there was a new lambo 4x4 thing driving through town with an exhaust that would drown out a wrc car waiting to launch. It was popping and banging so loud doing 4 mph that it kept setting off alarms on bikes and cars that it passed. 

 

There should be some limit for something that obnoxious but those in power will want everything to be as quiet as a Tesla 

[Bender]

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-trial-to-banish-loud-engines-and-exhausts-on-britains-noisiest-streets

 

Phase one trails were enough of a success to carry, probably consisted of a fine counting clicker