Loud pipes beware - photo enforcement now targeting noise violators
Pop quiz - when
someone says the term "exhaust system", what are the first words that pop into your head? If they happen to
be anything like "Flowmaster 40 Series" or "Dynomax Bullet" (the straight-through muffler that
makes Cherry Bombs sound civilized in comparison), you may not like the new ticketing system developed by Acoustic
Research Laboratories. Using an onboard sound meter, the device detect snoise events that exceed a predetermined sound
pressure level. A 10-second audio/video recording is made of the incident, and an onboard hard drive stores the data
for future retrieval and prosecution. As the system records other noise events as well, don't go boomin' your twin
fifteens past one of their systems and expect to get away with it.
Since certain individuals here at Autoblog have received several "amplified sound" tickets in their younger days and have occasionally taken to the street with open pipes (hey, no one really knows how easy it is to remove the baffles from a Yoshi system until they try), we'll defer commentary on this device to those who can be a bit more objective. With the number of import cars, diesel pickups, and motorcycles on the road sporting sewer-sized exhausts seemingly increasing every day, it would come as no surprise to find a lot of support for such a system -- at least outside of enthusiasts' circles.
Related: Minneapolis judge orders 'lights out' for traffic signal cameras
(Hat tip - Engadget)
[Source: TheNewspaper.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
sam 2:12PM (3/19/2006)
This is a good thing, as long as its evenly enforced. Anyone with "da boomin' system" cranking out deafening tunes should be ticketed as well, yes?
In fact, i'd gather that stereo violations are going to be much more common than exhaust.
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Andrew 2:15PM (3/19/2006)
I don't like loud pipes.
I don't care if you don't wear your seatbelt or don't wear a motorcycle helmet - it's your life (yes I might pay for medical care but if you kill yourself you save social security expense.) but loud pipes disturb my peace and quiet.
There is no real reason for loud pipes . . . except to be loud. You can make a quiet motorcycle pretty much scary fast, but many of the loudest motorcycles are low-performance image-iron anyway. Again the point is being loud.
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That One Person 2:31PM (3/19/2006)
For some odd reason I like this idea. But at the same time I dont. I like loud cars (well muscle cars from the 60's) but I dont like loud Honda's or Nissan's. Everyone has a right to their own opinion but that is mine. I also dont like crotch rockets with the loud exhaust but I can stand Harley's. Just my own preferences, I guess. Loud stereos are just ridiculous.
The thing is, I think people should be able to have loud exhausts on their cars or bikes or have stereos. But a time limit (like 7 am to 11 pm or whatever) should be enforced. I can stand listening to my neighbors Camaro with its 454 and no exhaust (drag car) during the day but at night when I am relaxing, I dont want to hear it. Same with the moron kids down the street with their crotch rockets who think they own the street. I hope I am not confusing anyone...I am a bit tired today.
People have a right to do their own thing but there is just a certain TIME and sometimes place that is right.
Sorry if it doesnt make sense...
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John Cressy 2:37PM (3/19/2006)
Most states that have an annual inspection criterion have muffler decibal requirements. If the inspection stations pass these loud bikes, they are at fault and should be held responsible. Of course after the bike is inspected the owner could always change the pipes. Then what? The better idea would be to not build and sell the pipes in the first place.
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Loud pies save lives 3:08PM (3/19/2006)
Louder exhaust pipes on motorcycles are a GOOD thing. Those driving cars & trucks don't pay enough attention to the road to redily notice motorcyclists. Loud exhaust will get their attention and hopefully save the motorcyclist's life.
You argue this all you want but until you ride a bike and damn near die because of inattentive drivers, you won't know how much I wish I could have even louder exhaust pipes.
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GotThatVibe 3:13PM (3/19/2006)
#3, you bring up a very good point, and I think it's pretty sad that it isn't brought up more often when the topic of noises on the road comes up. I'd go with a time schedule that starts a little later and goes a little later though, but that depends what type of area you are in (residential vs. commercial/open road).
For the most part, I think law enforcement dedicated to "noise problems" on the road is a HUGE waste of money. Are you telling me there is seriously nothing more important our police could be enforcing? There is a reason we have gas pedals, brake pedals, windows, and brains. If someone is too loud for you, use your BRAIN and make a decision to either get ahead of them, drop back behind them, roll up your window, or suck it up.
Are people so weak and egocentric that they can't endure an occasional five seconds of displeasure, so they complain to government to get them to pass legislation that will be taking away funds from community improvement and fighting REAL crime?
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JimK 3:23PM (3/19/2006)
#5 is dead right. Motorcycles NEED loud exhaust because so many car/truck drivers are idiots and don't care. After all, they won't be hurt in a car/truck - bike collision will they?
Loud motorcycle exhaust should be the law much less the standard.
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cowboy bob 3:31PM (3/19/2006)
My pick-up and my Harley have straight pipes. No mufflers. I have full exaust with tailpipes on both, and the noise is a low rumble until you peg the pedal(or grip). I have enough sense to ease both around at sensitive times or places, and have never had a ticket in 40 years of driving, most of which have been with "modified" exaust vehicles. I love the sound of power and the increased performance of a vehicle that is "un-corked". It's my thing. Now, when I sit in my living room at 10 PM it's not a muffler problem I hear, but the deep bass sounds of some s***head with rap crap on his $3000 stereo. This is the A-hole they should be after.
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Andrew 4:28PM (3/19/2006)
Not sure if loud pipes save lives. Either way just think they are too loud. The whole idea seems to be to increase safety by being really obnoxious.
If a form of transportation can only be rendered safe by emitting 100 db, then I don't like it. I'd prefer you just go die quietly.
Try this. Go to the store and get 10 lb of hamburger. Then go to a dog kennel and get 10 lb of dog manure. Put them in a bag and let them sit in the sun for about 5 days. Then rub it all over your body.
Now when you go out in public people won't step on your feet. Heck, riding a motorcycle the roads will clear out for you. "big stink saves lives"
"cowboy bob" is right depends a lot on throttle. And yes loud stereos are loud too. My opinion is that db for db noise is noise, where ever it comes from.
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danny 4:54PM (3/19/2006)
#9 THANK YOU!! save me a reply to #5 and #7
bottom line noise is noise. Instead of regulate a partiular item, just make a rule that limit vehicle max noise level to some proportion to their speed (say some X times mph in DB) and an upper limit of noise in DB below 15 mph (or some lower bound).
Also invest in hearing aid company. (all those Harley rider will need to buy them soon).
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Tom 5:16PM (3/19/2006)
Dog manure??
Anyway...
I think the time thing is the better answer, don't be revving down the back neighborhood streets at 1 am just because you KNOW you're annoying people, same for stereos. And as for "enthusiasts", a coffee can exhaust (which will gain you a fraction of power and lose what precious torque you had) on a '92 Accord does not make a high schooler an enthusiast.
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doug delano 7:22PM (3/19/2006)
We need 5 of these new contraptions in my neighborhood alone. No one can honestly say that their straight pipes, if driven judiciously, are ok for the public to withstand, not unless you're hearing impaired == which you will be. That's your choice OK? Don't force your macho crap into my or my family's ears/lives. Really do try to grow up...
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cowboy bob 7:54PM (3/19/2006)
Gee Doug, I'm pushin 60. How much fun can an old goat have? Macho crap? You sound much more agressive than I do. I think you sound like somebody who needs a hug. Tom---I'm old and in bed by 9. The noise you hear at 1 AM is probably YOUR kid. I can't drink coffee because it's bad for my blood pressure, so, no cans. Besides, who wants "Maxwellhouse" stamped on the butt of his Macho Machine?
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naugahyde 9:50PM (3/19/2006)
Why is the "loud pipes save lives" theory always expounded by people who don't wear helmets or leathers, and think that flip flops pass for protective footwear?
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doug delano 9:53PM (3/19/2006)
Hey Cowboy, hit a macho nerve, did I? You are precisely the guy I'm stereotyping. Old dude with a white beard sitting on his noisy hog begging for attention. That time in your mid-life when the women quit giving you a look or two is probably when you decided you needed some mechanical attention. Must be you who needs the "hug".
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Andrew 10:31PM (3/19/2006)
Noise is the issue.
If someone wakes me up at 2 AM I don't care if it is a biker trying to be "safe", or a kid playing rap, an old accord with a coffee can, or a legit 500 HP street racer. Don't matter. If they set up these monitoring stations and simply looked at db level fine.
Someone said that this is a huge waste of police resources. I don't know if I'd call it a huge waste, a few ticket could do wonders. But I have to admit we only have so many police, and they have a lot of crime to chase.
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cowboy bob 7:20AM (3/20/2006)
Whilikers Doug. Somebody pi** in your wheaties? "You are the guy I'm sterotyping?" Watch out, I'm so macho I'll jump outta' my hoveround, grab my cane, and kick your a**. You are the uptight, anti-freedom, blind-eyed, egotistical, racist, un-informed, private militant type dunce I see driving in the car-pool lane with a stuffed dummy next to him. Now, I'm stereotyping you.
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Joe 8:08AM (3/20/2006)
Safest motorcycle riders on the road are BMW and Gold Wing owners.
Neither are known for loud pipes.
Loud pipes = small penis.
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shiznannigan 8:48AM (3/20/2006)
Most of the loud vehicles (motorcycles AND cars) I see are usually being driven by idiots, weaving through traffic, tailgating, and racing any minivan that happens to pull next to them at a stoplight.
Loud pipes may save lives, but so does not driving like an idiot.
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MikeW 8:53AM (3/20/2006)
If making power equates to making noise, wouldn't that noise be fleeting-here and gone in a flash.
Look at modern cars, variable back pressur exhausts-Audi TT VR6, S4, VQ35 maxima, new corvette Z07.
Straight pipes on harleys are annoying because that is 2 single cylinders exhauting into the atmosphere. Combine them into 1, I don't care if HD is too stupid to make an even firing V-twin. Some people have perfect heaing and want to keep it that way.
Any rolling up the glass does jack against V-twins and crossplane crank V8.
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