ON MARCH 31, 2024 BY PHOTOMOTOMANIN MOTORCYCLING
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Baffle up your muffler!
The short answer is, yup. Depending on where you live, they may already be installed. And it isn’t just in Canada either. In the U.K., the USA and in Europe, noise cameras are part of the local enforcement scene. Noise, like speed is now on the agenda, particularly in larger cities where lots of concrete and steel have the tendency to seemingly amplify sound. Large apartment and condominium buildings are places (along with hospitals) that seem to have little tolerance or regard for loud pipes on motorcycles.
In 2023, New York, NY, instituted noise cameras. The new technology measures the sound decibels of passing vehicles, particularly motorcycles, both registering the level and the license plate of the offending vehicle. Fines in New York, range from $800 US to $2625 US, for those who repeat offend and don’t reintroduce a muffler on their machines.
The photo below illustrates exactly how the noise camera operates.
Unlike Red-Light cameras, the public are not informed of their locations, and they can be moved quite easily, similar to Red Light cameras. Paris, France instituted the same noise cameras on some streets, having a major effect.
Not only are noise cameras coming to Canada, they are already in several jurisdictions across a number of provinces. In Ontario, both Kitchener and Toronto are seeking changes to the highway traffic act so that they can have legal backing once noise cameras are installed. They are simply awaiting legislation.
In Alberta, both Edmonton and Calgary are instituting or have instituted noise cameras. To date, Edmonton has already issued 335 noise camera infractions to motorists, while in Saanich, BC, noise cameras have now been introduced. The decibel threshold for motorcycles has been set at 91 decibels and the citation, mailed to the registered owner of the motorcycle is $109 CDN.
Halifax, Nova Scotia in May of 2023, instituted a vehicle noise bylaw and purchased three stationary noise cameras, and one portable noise camera for its Traffic Division. The entire bylaw is linked below.
https://cdn.halifax.ca/sites/default/files/documents/city-hall/regional-council/230509rc15112.pdf
Bennett’s BikeSocial from the UK recently provided an article entitled, “Money: the real justification for noise cameras?” However, during testing, thresholds were set at 90dB as “loud but not disturbing”. These tests demonstrated how small the percentage of noisy vehicles really is. Across four test sites an average of 18,125 vehicles passed the four cameras each day. The tests ran for periods between 14 and 49 days. During that time 99 activations were caused by motorcycles and only 26 would have received citations.
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2024/noise-camera-justification
So, the question remains. Are noise cameras necessary? If they are, its doubtful that any one jurisdiction will employ a large number of noise cameras due to the likely low investment return. However, in specific areas or neighbourhoods where people complain, it will be possible for the local police to install a noise camera surreptitiously and control motorcycles that are excessively noisy without running the risk of an altercation with the motorcyclist. Noise cameras can also be equipped to police vehicles and employed whether moving or stationary, as illustrated by usage with the Halifax, Nova Scotia Police Department.
Across Canada it appears that every major Police Force will be requesting noise cameras in short order. If people choose to ignore their arrival, I suppose being caught will depend on sheer luck, since most people will have no idea where they have been installed.
Another sign of the changing times I’m afraid. As for me, I’d rather not draw attention from the constabulary or tick off my neighbours, as I live in a condo. There are enough things to get old guys like me in condos rattled about. In any event, be aware. Don’t crank your wrist around the police, or you may be in for a surprise.
Ciao…
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