‘Noise camera’ trialled to tackle excessively loud cars and motorbikes
New cameras fitted with noise detection systems will tackle nuisance motorists with extremely loud cars or motorbikes.
The technology will detect vehicles which exceed legal noise limits and could work in a similar way to speed cameras to automatically target drivers breaking the law.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said the plan could help tackle the “absolute misery” caused by noise pollution.
The Government has commissioned a prototype noise camera to be tested at several locations over the next seven months.
The new technology being trialled aims to measure the sound levels of passing vehicles and could use automated number plate recognition to help identify offenders.
If the trials are successful, recommendations will be made to further develop the system across the UK.
Mr Grayling said: “Noise pollution makes the lives of people in communities across Britain an absolute misery and has very serious health impacts.
“This is why I am determined to crack down on the nuisance drivers who blight our streets.
“New technology will help us lead the way in making our towns and cities quieter, and I look forward to seeing how these exciting new cameras could work.”
Motorcycle Industry Association CEO Tony Campbell said: “With growing pressure on the environment, including noise pollution, illegal exhausts fitted by some riders attract unwanted attention to the motorcycle community and do nothing to promote the many benefits motorcycles can offer.
“All manufacturers produce new motorcycles that follow strict regulations regarding noise and emissions and we welcome these trials as a potential way of detecting excessive noise in our community.”
