A new scheme is to be rolled out across England as the Government looks to 'banish boy racers'. The Department for Transport has revealed £300,000 is set to be invested in 'noise cameras' to tackle rowdy motorists who rev their engines or have loud exhausts.
A search has now been launched to find four of the noisiest areas where the cameras can be tried out. The technology is only in its early design phase so MPs are being asked to nominate areas where the cameras could be of benefit.
The technology can automatically detect when vehicles are breaking the legal noise requirements, meaning it can provide evidence to the police and local authorities. This will help officers have the information they need to issue fines to nuisance drivers.
The latest phase of noise trials builds on a three-year programme to perfect the technology. Research, the DFT says, shows noise pollution can have significant impacts on residents lives. It believes heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes and stress can all be linked to living in loud environments.
In England alone, the Government says the annual social cost of urban road noise was thought to have reached £10 bullion a decade ago. This is the total economic cost of exposure to noise pollution, including lost productivity from sleep disturbance and health costs from heart attacks, strokes and dementia.
And the Government believes complaints about noise are the highest in disadvantaged areas. Something it says it outlined in its 'Levelling Up' white paper.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "We want those in Britain’s noisiest streets, who are kept up at night by unbearable revving engines and noisy exhausts, to come forward with the help of volunteer areas to test and perfect the latest innovative technology.
"For too long, rowdy drivers have been able to get away with disturbing our communities with illegal noisy vehicles. It’s time we clamp down on this nuisance, banish the boy racer and restore peace and quiet to local streets."
The technology being used in the trial can provide real-time reports that police can use as evidence and may result in more targeted and efficient enforcement methods to crack down on noisy motorists. By testing these cameras in rural and urban areas, families can help develop the new road technology.
The trial is being led by the Atkins-Jacobs Joint Venture. Director Andrew Pearce said: "This scheme is a critical development for people living in areas affected by antisocial driving. It demonstrates how we can use technology to take a highly targeted approach to solving these problems.
"Testing different noise measurement technologies with a range of vehicles in this controlled environment means we can ensure tickets are only sent to drivers with illegal and antisocial cars or bikes. Highway authorities will be able to automate noise enforcement and get on top of the problem without using up valuable police resources."
Existing legislation requires exhausts and silencers to be maintained in good working order and not altered so as to increase noise. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 (Section 42) the potential penalty for non-compliance with these requirements is a £50 on-the-spot fine.
Noise Abatement Society chief executive Gloria Elliott OBE said: "Excessively noisy vehicles cause unnecessary disturbance, stress and anxiety to many and, in some cases, physical pain. They disrupt the environment and people’s peaceful enjoyment of their homes and public places.
"Communities across the UK are increasingly suffering from this entirely avoidable blight. The Noise Abatement Society applauds rigorous, evidence-based solutions to address this issue and protect the public."
