Many Towns Have Ordinances Against Loud Engines—Now There's a Tool to Enforce Them
Could roadside cameras sending fines solve the state's roaring problem?
This article is adapted from a piece first published in the Wall Street Journal
From the shores of Lake Champlain to the quiet hollows of the Green Mountains, a familiar summer sound is drawing the ire of Vermonters: the thunderous roar of loud motorcycles and illegally modified vehicles. For years, residents have voiced frustration, feeling their peace and quiet has been hijacked. Now, as state legislators push for stricter laws, a new enforcement technology being tested in cities like Newport, R.I., and New York City may offer a solution, sparking a debate about technology, privacy, and the very sound of freedom on the open road.
The Legislative Push for Quiet
The problem of excessive vehicle noise is not just a matter of annoyance; it's a significant public issue that has reached the Vermont Statehouse. A key piece of proposed legislation, Senate Bill 66 (S.66), aims to put teeth into the state's noise regulations. The bill seeks to move beyond the current, often difficult-to-enforce "disorderly conduct" statutes.
If passed, S.66 would establish clear, objective standards by:
Setting a specific noise limit of 85 decibels for vehicles, measured from a distance of 50 feet.
Explicitly prohibiting the sale, installation, and use of "aftermarket" exhaust systems designed to amplify a vehicle's sound.
This legislative effort reflects a growing sentiment among many Vermonters that the current approach isn't working. Community forums and local news outlets are filled with complaints from residents in towns like Burlington, Winooski, and Swanton, who describe their daily lives being disrupted by window-rattling exhaust noise. "We should be hearing crickets and nice summer sounds," one resident told reporters, capturing the widespread feeling that the state's natural tranquility is under assault.
A New Frontier: The Noise Camera
While Vermont debates new laws, other communities are already deploying a high-tech solution: automated noise cameras. In the upscale tourist town of Newport, R.I., a roadside camera system is already at work. When a crimson Mustang GT rumbled down Ocean Avenue, the device's 64 microphones pinpointed the source and measured the exhaust at 85 decibels—two over the local limit. The camera snapped a photo of the license plate, and the owner was mailed a $250 ticket.
This technology is spreading. New York City operates 10 such cameras, issuing fines that start at $800. Knoxville, Tenn., Albuquerque, N.M., and Philadelphia are all in various stages of testing or deploying similar systems. For officials and residents in these areas, the cameras are a powerful tool to address what is often a top public complaint. "Folks have reached their boiling point," said Newport City Councilor David Carlin III.
The systems are designed to be precise, capable of identifying the specific offending vehicle even in heavy traffic. Proponents argue they offer an objective and efficient way to enforce noise ordinances, a task that has proven challenging for law enforcement. Vermont police have noted the difficulty of issuing citations that hold up in court, often due to the need for specialized equipment and the subjective nature of the current "unreasonable noise" standard.
A Divisive Solution
Despite their effectiveness, noise cameras are not without critics. For some, they represent an unwelcome expansion of a surveillance society. Harley rider James Alves, who received a noise warning in Newport, views the cameras as "just another way to grab money." He insists his bike is not illegally modified and that he rides respectfully. This sentiment is echoed by some car and motorcycle enthusiasts in Vermont who argue that S.66 and the prospect of automated enforcement unfairly punish responsible hobbyists and threaten the state's vibrant custom car and motorcycle culture.
The issue is complicated by the fact that some vehicles are loud straight from the factory. Anthony Aquilino, owner of a $315,000 Lamborghini Huracán, received an $800 ticket in Manhattan after a noise camera recorded his car at 92 decibels. He argues the noise was produced by the car's automatic downshift, not reckless driving. "I can't change the way the car sounds," Aquilino stated, highlighting a central dilemma: should drivers be penalized for the standard, legal operation of their vehicles?
Vermont's Crossroads
As Vermont lawmakers consider the 85-decibel limit proposed in S.66, the experiences of cities using noise cameras present a compelling, if complex, path forward. The technology offers a potential solution to the long-standing problem of enforcement, promising to restore peace to communities plagued by excessive noise.
However, the debate also forces a difficult conversation about fairness, privacy, and the character of Vermont's communities. Can the state strike a balance between protecting the tranquility that defines it and preserving the freedoms enjoyed by vehicle enthusiasts? As other states turn to automated enforcement, Vermont may find that the answer to its noise problem lies not just in new laws, but in the lens of a camera listening by the side of the road.
The sale of battery powered angle grinds, sawzalls, and ski masks are about to go through the roof.