Most of us have associated traffic cameras with speed limits and other traffic-related offenses but what if they could also hear us? Paris, London, and now New York City are some of the places where a number of traffic cameras have been upgraded with sound meters, sending fines to those who opted for a louder-than-usual exhaust in their car or motorcycle.
The devices have the ability to measure the decibels emitted by each of the oncoming vehicles, checking if they are above the legal limits. Then they photograph the license plates of those with illegally modified exhaust or extremely loud sound systems and send them a fine for excessive noise. As reported by the Associated Press, first-time offenders will face a fine of $800 in New York City, while those who ignore a third-offense hearing get a penalty of $2,625. Of course, not all traffic cameras support this feature, with officials not revealing the exact locations of the sound sensors for obvious reasons.
Read: Germany To Catch Distracted Drivers Holding Smartphones With Special Cameras
Studies have shown that loud noise is not only bad for your ears, but can affect mental health, and possibly increase the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Thus, New York City is quite strict when it comes to noise-related legislation, in a quest to create a healthier environment for its residents. According to the latest bill, the “Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution Act” aims to “increase enforcement against motorists and repair shops that illegally modify mufflers and exhaust systems to make them excessively noisy for motor vehicles and motorcycles”.
Erik Bottcher, City Council member in NYC, said that “Vehicles with illegally modified mufflers and tailpipes that emit extremely loud noise have been a growing problem in recent years”. Speaking about the problem with high noise levels, New York City Mayor Eric Adams added: “You listen to the noise out there, it is nonstop – the horns, the trucks, the sirens. Noise pollution makes it hard to sleep and increases the risk of chronic disease”.
As we mentioned earlier, NYC is not the first place with sound-sensitive traffic cameras, as similar technology is already being used in London (UK) and Paris (France), resulting in a large number of fines. The battle against noise is raging in many cities around the world, with civilians becoming a little bit more demanding in this regard after experiencing the quietness of the lockdowns. Loud exhausts will likely stop being a problem in the era of electrification, although you never know – our society could face a similar issue with faux exhaust noise generated by speakers.
