In an effort to reduce the amount of noisy vehicles roaming the streets, the British Department for Transport will apparently test new acoustic cameras during the next seven months. This decision comes as citizens in rural communities have complained about some motorists illegally modifying the sound of their vehicles, and our sources tell us the government is concerned by the potential health impacts of noise pollution.
These new acoustic cameras will use a microphone to detect vehicles breaching legal noise limits. When the sound exceeds the threshold, the camera is triggered to photograph the vehicle’s license plate, or other relevant images that could help the authorities prove the vehicle was, in fact, too loud. The maximum noise level/limit has not yet been established by the authorities.
According to British Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, “the technology could provide an alternative to make sure those communities are protected against excessive noise, that the people who are acting illegally are prosecuted…it’s a simpler, easier way of doing it.”
As is the case here in North America, all motor vehicles in England must comply with noise regulations in order to legally operate on public roads. It turns out that in many rural areas, people are getting seriously fed up by the amount of motorcyclists or drivers described by the locals as “boy racers in souped-up vehicles” who drive through villages with modified exhaust systems.
It’s currently unclear if the British government will go through with this new legislation, or if the technology is currently capable of sustaining such cameras. But if it should go forth, it could have an impact on several GM vehicles that come from the factory with loud exhaust systems, cars like the Chevrolet Camaro, the Chevrolet Corvette, or even the Cadillac V-Series cars – which are sold in Europe… at least for the time being.
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Comments
What the bloody hell is this rubbish, mate
Many A,Eric am have no idea how restrictive some areas of Europe are..
In Germany in many areas it is frowned on working on your own car in the open. Get one drop of oil on the ground you have fire and enviro people all over you like you committed an act of terror.
Even in California the police are pulling over people they think hav3 violated CARB rules and turning people in to them. They can even take your car.
Even our own EPA about 5 years ago tried to pass a law that would restrict removing emission and changing engine in any full time race car. Yes a car used only on the quarter mile could not have anything removed.
This was a move by a regulatory agency that was creating a law the house and senate had nothing to do with. Their job at the epa is to enforce not create laws.
Many non-lawmaking agencies are trying to circumnavigate the legislative branch. Just look at the ATF and what judges try to do. Once someone buys a product they can do what they want to it end of story.
The best exhaust system your car will ever have is the one that came from the factory. Only young selfish punks feel the need to intrude on the privacy that one has to have when they come home for the evening. Until these people face the same exact situation themselves , only then will they gain the introspective and see the errors of their poor judgement. Noise is pollution.
Does that sentiment also apply to the obnoxiously loud exhaust systems on Harley Davidson motorcycles?
I hate the people on the motorcycles and the ones modifying their vehicles. The motorcyclists INTENTIONALLY rev their bikes around cars and under bridges for the ‘Sweet Sound’, while in reality it hurts the ears and and distracts those around them.
This is ridiculous big brother at its worst.