A new bill by two Montgomery County Councilmembers targets excessive noise from vehicles with modified mufflers.
On Tuesday, Council Vice President Kate Stewart and Councilmember Natali Fani-González introduced Bill 14-24 (PDF), which requires police to use automated noise monitoring systems, commonly known as “noise cameras,” to enforce existing state exhaust noise laws.
According to WTOP, Stewart cites numerous health and quality of life impacts as the main reason for installing the noise cameras.
“Communities in Montgomery County have endured excessive noise from vehicles with altered exhaust systems, even though these modifications are not lawful,” Stewart said. “This pilot program will employ new technology, noise cameras, to help identify vehicles creating excessive noise. The County will then be able to issue warnings and ultimately citations and will protect residents from the harmful outcomes and help our public safety officials manage reckless driving behavior.”
Maryland Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr led state efforts to pass legislation during the 2024 Legislative Session, enabling Montgomery County to establish a pilot program to reduce excessive vehicular noise. If the Council enacts Bill 14-24, police would deploy three noise abatement monitoring systems, which would act as audio cameras to detect and measure degrees of noise, especially from vehicles, and can identify extreme noises that exceed a certain threshold, according to a press release.
Maryland law requires that vehicles not exceed a sound limit of 80 decibels. Under the pilot program, when the volume is detected at least five decibels above the standard set by state law, the camera would capture a video of the vehicle causing the noise for identification.
Montgomery County Police would be obligated to publish the locations of the monitoring systems on the County website, place signage near them, and wait at least 15 days after the signage is installed before issuing citations. Police would issue a warning for the first noise violation caught on camera and a fine of up to $75 for subsequent offenses.
According to WTOP, Councilmember Natali Fani-González already has three roads in mind should the bill pass: Georgia Avenue, University Boulevard, and Connecticut Avenue.
“Excessive vehicular noise from modified or defective mufflers is more than a mere annoyance,” Fani-González said. “It has become a serious quality of life and safety issue on the roads of Wheaton, Forest Glen, Glenmont, Aspen Hill, Rockville and beyond. By leveraging advanced technology and automated enforcement, we can more effectively enforce existing vehicular noise laws everywhere without redirecting other valuable police resources.”
The first public hearing for this bill is scheduled for September 17th.
Photo: “Exhaust Pipe Tail Pipe – Ford Focus RS – Blue – Free Car Picture – Give Credit Via Link” by MotorVerso is licensed under CC BY 2.0.