Hampshire and Isle of Wight PCC calls for government action on noisy vehicle exhausts

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones is calling for the government to introduce stricter controls and enforcement measures for excessively noisy vehicle exhausts.

Although it's currently illegal to modify a vehicle’s exhaust to make it louder, there is no legally enforceable roadside decibel limit, which makes police action challenging.

Jones highlighted the impact of noise from modified vehicles, stating, “The noise caused by these modified motorbikes and cars is unacceptable and unbearable for many."

A lack of consistent guidance from the government on noise enforcement has resulted in difficulties and inconsistencies for police forces, Jones said.

She urged ministers to implement a clear decibel limit and standardised noise-measurement equipment for effective enforcement against drivers and riders with illegal exhausts.

Noise camera trials from the Department for Transport in 2022 demonstrated that acoustic camera technology could identify vehicles generating excessive noise, according to Jones.

The commissioner has launched a survey to gain a better understanding of the public’s experiences with vehicle exhaust noise and its effects.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight’s Roads Policing Unit employs various tactics to address speeding, anti-social driving, and late-night car meets.

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