Hidden microphones will be installed in New York to detect noisy cars and fine them

New York has begun implementing noise monitoring systems for vehicles that do not meet legal standards. The sound level meters will measure the noise level in vehicles and are part of a pilot program in the Big Apple.

New York has long been trying to crack down on modified cars, both through tough exhaust noise laws with the highest fines in the country, and ongoing attempts to pass a law to use speed cameras to catch racers. Now, it looks like he has hired at least one automatic noise control machine to enforce noise ordinances. 

vigilant sound level meter

Sunday's post shows what looks like a noise violation notice issued by the BMW M3. Interestingly, apparently no police officers were involved in this. Instead, the notice stated that the sound level meter recorded the M3's noise level in decibels as it passed the traffic control camera and recorded exhaust noise levels in violation of the law. 

All personally identifiable information was redacted in the post so it was impossible to determine if the M3 had been altered, but the notice appears to be a second warning to the New York City Department of the Environment. The notice stated that the M3 license plate was caught on camera, but there was also a "sound meter" that "records the decibel level as the vehicle approaches and passes the camera."

The sound level meter is part of a pilot program

The sign and sound level meter are part of a pilot program that began last September, the New York City Environmental Protection Agency recently confirmed. However, it is not clear if the New York City Department of Environmental Protection has installed these systems, as New York law currently only criminalizes escapes whose noise is deemed "excessive or unusual" and leaves enforcement to individual police officers, presumably humans. According to the release, the program will be re-evaluated on June 30.

The sound level meter program is not related to the law of CHA

Whereas the original draft of the SLEEP Act, passed last year to increase penalties for noisy emissions, would have used Section 386 of the Motor Vehicles and Traffic Act, which is also cited in a notice posted on Facebook, to define exactly what is " excessive or unusual." ".

As a result, it is not clear what the limits of the sensors are or how an automated system can determine what is "excessive or unusual" and can be used to sell tickets. However, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection has stated that the program is not related to the Sleep Act.

This can be tricky as cars come from the factory with different exhaust volumes. For example, a stock Toyota Camry is much quieter than a stock Jaguar F-Type. However, since this is just a pilot program, hopefully this means that more transparency can follow.

**********

: