On Wed, 9 Mar 2005, Harry K
At idle? At 3000 rpm? When the gas pedal is floored for 1 full second and released?
And what's going to be the actual dB standard? Either you set it so low that some factory systems won't comply (e.g. that stupid mufflerless Neon variant), or you set it so high that the law's meaningless (SEMA is always on hand to make sure noise laws have uselessly high threshholds if that organization can't kill them off altogether).
Solution to noisy vehicles 4817If I heard your daughter screaming "rape", would you really expect me to do nothing? Not true - if the car alarm sounds like...
Don't get me wrong; I would *LOVE* to see restrictive vehicle noise laws enforced against cars with needlessly loud exhaust systems, but writing such a law in a way that is effective, enforceable and robust against legal challenges is not as simple as it might seem.
One way to do it might be to look at the Federal noise standards (they do exist), back off a little from those threshholds to account for vehicle-in-use factors and allow for carefully-engineered aftermarket exhausts, and codify based on that. Older Federal noise standards were higher than newer ones, so the allowable noise level would vary with vehicle year. But even that's not very easy, 'cause the Federal standards don't address *EXHAUST* noise, but rather *DRIVE-BY* noise. That includes noise from the exhaust, engine, tires, etc.
And what are we going to do about trucks and vans equipped with the Ford PowerJoke diesel engine, which even when brand new sounds as if it's taking a stinky, loud, wet and messy metallic poo?
Solution to noisy vehicles 4816I guess I'd claim that it's noise pollution even if the car is indeed being stolen. Unless, of course, the owner is close enough to hear it, and interested enough to rouse...
The stereo noise ordinance would be much easier: If the stereo can be heard outside the vehicle at all with the windows closed, or can be distinctly heard 10 feet away from the vehicle with any window open, dink 'em.
