Noise Off believes that the most cost effective and
practical means of combating the problem of noisy exhausts is to merely amend
the maximum decibel level for vehicles registered since 1985 from 95 to 90
decibels with the exceptions already contained within the legal equipment law
for older vehicles, competition vehicles and high-performance vehicles which
have not otherwise been modified to increase their noise levels.
A level of 90 decibels is easily and inexpensively
obtainable for all vehicles which have already been modified. All unmodified
vehicles will already come within the 90 decibel limit or one of the existing
exceptions. Noise Off believes that the cost of remodifying the vehicles which
exceed the 90 decibel level will be no more expensive than the testing
procedures that these vehicles will have to undertake to comply with the current
rules.
How does this policy affect Car
Enthusiasts
Noise Off’s recommended policy recognises that car
enthusiasts wish to enhance their motor vehicles with modified exhausts.
Noise Off’s policy does not prohibit the modification of the exhaust but ensures
that the noise output is the same or similar to the original equipment.
This may permit a small increase in noise over the original exhaust system but
in no case louder than 90 dB(A)
(decibels).
Noise Off does not want car enthusiasts to stop
having fun modifying their motor vehicles but Noise Off can see no possible
public benefit in permitting motor vehicles to be modified to noise levels that
are damaging to the public health.
Many people have asked Noise Off why modification of
exhausts are permitted at all; as surely the easiest way of fixing the problem
would be not to allow any modification. Whilst we have sympathy with that
view we appreciate the desire of car enthusiasts to modify their vehicle
equipment so long as the noise output is similar to the original equipment.
