Being a responsible motorist involves more than giving pedestrians way at each zebra crossing and stopping at each yellow traffic light or arrow.
The law requires all motorists to actively ensure that the operation of their vehicles produces the least possible amount of noise. This article provides answers to three questions that first-time vehicle owners in New South Wales may have in relation to noise and the operation of their vehicles.
Whose Job Is Authorized To Enforce Noise Regulations In NSW?
The Department of Environment and Conservation is charged with the overall responsibility of enforcing noise regulations. The department is able to enforce these regulations through the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Through its officers, the EPA is responsible for issuing errant motorists with a defect notice when they contravene noise-related regulations, prosecuting such motorists and issuing penalty notices for the various offences.
EPA officers work hand in hand with the police and local council officers. In a large number of cases, those affected by noise from an automobile exhaust system (for example) register their complaints with local council officers.
How Do Motorists Contravene Noise Regulations And What Are The Penalties?
There are various ways through which a vehicle owner can find him or herself on the wrong side of noise regulation laws. The Department of Environment and Conservation relies on a tiered scale to determine the penalties and/or fines for offences related to vehicle exhaust systems. Thus, higher decibels of noise from a vehicle exhaust or music system will attract greater fines and more stringent penalties.
For example, a motorist caught driving around with excessively loud music playing their music system stands to pay a fine of $150 for the offence in addition to losing two demerit points on their driver's license. Motorists who undertake engine modifications such the amount of noise from their vehicle exhaust systems is higher than the permitted noise limit stand to lose $200 to the EPA in the form of fines.
How Can One Ensure Compliance With Noise Regulations?
Motorists can invest in noise-reduction devices for their automobiles in their bid to comply with relevant legislative policies.
For example, a first-time vehicle owner who invests in a used vehicle should have the old mufflers, blow-off valves and gate valves in the exhaust system replaced with new ones.
Those who invest in new old model vehicles should also think of upgrading to more advanced versions of the mentioned noise reduction devices similar to those present in newer model vehicles from the same manufacturer.
Motorists who wouldn't want to sacrifice their loud music when driving should invest in sound-absorbing devices for their automobiles.
