‘Boy racers’ and owners of fast cars could be slapped with painful fines for making too much noise.
Noisy motorists driving cars registered since 2016 are running the risk of being hit with a fixed penalty notice of up to £100 if the external noise from their vehicle exceeds 72 decibels (dB) while on public roads.
Meanwhile, the legal limit for cars registered after 2007 but before 2016 is 76 dB. *
The warning comes from driving experience provider DrivingExperience.com as a new network of acoustic cameras begins to be rolled out.
The first of the cameras – installed in the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – saw almost 10,000 vehicles trigger the cameras for making too much noise between June 2021 and February 2022.
Drivers of BMWs were the most fined, followed by Lamborghini, Mercedes, Ferrari, Audi and Land Rover drivers, in that order.
But it’s not just drivers of supercars or SUVs who are running the risk of fines. A common reason for a blaring exhaust is leaking – which typically occurs when the exhaust becomes too old.
Another reason for an ear-splitting exhaust is when the car’s engine becomes too powerful as a result of modifications.
Alex MacGregor at DrivingExperience commented: “Noisy cars on public roads are not only a nuisance, but can also have a serious impact on road users’ health.
Alex said: “Part of the enjoyment of driving a high-performance vehicle is hearing the thunder of the engine and the exhaust. The best and safest place to experience this is by undertaking a driving experience at one of Britain’s historic race circuits.
“This way, thrillseekers can satisfy their need for speed, in a safe environment, all while avoiding being punished with a hefty fine!”