The government have responded to complaints of noisy cars.
They plan to identify the worst offenders and issue them with hefty fines by developing a national noise camera project.
The Department for Transport (DfT) originally announced a pilot scheme in the summer of 2019, which saw new acoustic-camera technology installed at seven locations around the UK to see whether it could be effective at cracking down on noisy vehicles.
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When announcing its scheme, the DfT referred to studies that had demonstrated exposure to noise might have highly negative impacts on people’s physical and mental health.
Research suggests that noise pollution can play a major role in issues ranging from heart attacks and high blood pressure to stress and type-two diabetes.
Under existing noise pollution laws, motorists with an exhaust that generates 'excessive' noise could be in line for an on-the-spot fine of £50.
The police can also demand that the offending vehicle is taken off the road until they reduce noise levels to a more acceptable level.
In Britain, the legal limit for noise made by an exhaust is 74 decibels – roughly as loud as a flushing toilet.
Prior to the introduction of noise cameras, police officers were expected to use their own judgement to decide whether the limit was being broken.
The government didn’t set a pre-arranged level at which noise cameras in its trial would be triggered.
But those used in the London scheme were calibrated to catch offenders who generated 80 decibels or more. This is about as loud as an alarm clock.
If you’re being bothered by noisy car exhausts, your best options are to call 101 or make a complaint to your local council.
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