“Noise-Blitzer”: California wants to use technology to track down exhaust sounds that are too loud

Created: 05/14/2022, 14:54

By: Sebastian Oppenheimer

If you are speeding in your car, you may be flashed – noise offenders could soon experience a similar situation in California.

The US state is planning a pilot project.

California – The US state of California is considered a pioneer when it comes to climate protection: From 2035, new petrol and diesel vehicles will be closed there – from then on only zero-emission vehicles will be allowed to be sold.

But the Californians are not only fighting the exhaust fumes, but also the noise.

A new technology should make it easier to detect cars that are too loud in the future – special monitoring devices will be installed for this purpose.

Ultimately, this is a kind of “noise speed camera”.

California soon wants to track down noise sinners with special speed cameras.

(Iconic image) © Chromorange/Imago

“Noise-Blitzer”: California wants to use technology to track down exhaust sounds that are too loud

If you drive too fast, you will be flashed if you are unlucky.

The situation could soon be similar for owners of too loud cars in California.

A draft law envisages a multi-year pilot project that is scheduled to start on January 1, 2023.

Six cities – not yet named – are to take part in the program.

According to the draft law, the new technology is a sensor system that reacts to sound.

If a vehicle exceeds the permitted noise level, the sensors activate a camera that then takes a “clear photo” of the license plate, as the draft says.

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"Noise speed cameras": Signs should drive drivers in California to the "measuring zones"

The limit values, on the other hand, have not changed: As “Autoweek” reports, these are 95 decibels for car exhaust systems and 80 decibels for motorcycles built after 1985.

Signs should inform road users that they are now entering a corresponding "measuring zone".

In many cities, residents are annoyed by car posers who rev up their engines - as in the case of this BMW driver, on whom even the neighbors eventually took revenge.

With electric cars, on the other hand, the noise problem does not arise in this form; some manufacturers such as Porsche are even working on an “emotional” sound for electric models.

E-cars in the EU even have to emit a warning tone so that pedestrians and cyclists can perceive the often quiet electric vehicles.

"Noise speed cameras" in California: The pilot project is scheduled to run for five years

As the draft law in California reveals, there should be no punishment for the first “noise violation” – only if it happens again will there be trouble.

The income from the "noise speed cameras" is initially intended to finance the program, but can also be used for "traffic calming measures".

The pilot project is initially limited to five years and is scheduled to end on December 31, 2027.