The Department of Environmental Protection in the state of New York, USA, has started sending fines to vehicle owners with loud exhausts. However, it is not because a policeman caught them but because the state has employed an automatic camera system that is capable of detecting the sound of the exhaust of the vehicle. The decibel meter installed in the speed camera is capable of checking the sound of the vehicle passing by and also take a picture of the vehicle’s number plate, and sending out a ticket.
Fine on Loud Cars and Motorcycles
In the state of New York, the authorities will give the owners of the defaulted vehicles a chance to have their car fixed and avoid paying the fine. However, vehicle owners who fail to bring their vehicles for inspection could face a maximum fine of up to USD 875. The authorities could also levy additional fines in case the vehicle owner is found ignoring the summons. This is similar to California’s ‘Fix-it’ system and gives the vehicle owner an opportunity to rectify the exhaust sound.
The New York Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been running the program in the pilot state since September 2021. Reports suggest that the strategically placed camera and audio receiver is capable of pinpointing the source of the sound and automatically link it to the correct license plate. Sources suggest that the program will continue to run till June 2022. The authorities will then evaluate the program decide if it must be expanded or completely shut down.
Loud Vehicles Challaned and Exhausts Destroyed in India
Closer to home, the Traffic Police department has also launched a drive against loud exhausts on motorcycles. In December 2021, the Traffic police of Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune, fined 200 motorcyclists for having modified silencers. In 2022, the Traffic cops issued more than 2,500 challans. However, the Police is not just issuing challans to offenders but also ceasing the modified exhausts so the offenders cannot re-use them once the drive was eased down.
Also Read: KTM working on a 390 Enduro Adventure variant?
