November
2007
Paul
from Upper Hutt says Excellent that someone is taking a stand against these
selfish buggers ! (and that is the reality of today's generation - few have any
respect for anyone else). I saw the program on Cambell live - my question is
that given our current 'political correctness lest we offend anyone' state is
that how can getting rid of these noisy exhaust (and lets not go near the
horrible Doof Doof of the stereo or the blow ar!e values ) that a minority of
the population can effectively dictate, and for all intents and purposes,
intimidate law abiding citizens who actually want to be part of the community.
Best of luck with this - as you can probably tell from the tone of this email
people are getting more than annoyed with this - perhaps sometime a government
will actually have the 'balls' to listen for a change !.
March
2007
Graham
from Palmerston North says Very disappointed after watching Campbell Live
last night the 13-03-2007. Harry Duynhoven knows to well, New Plymouth has a Boy
Racer Problem for well over four years now, our Council and Police have there
heads in the sand. To much talk! no action!, It's high time the authorities
start Walking The Talk! There needs a public back lash......
Shane
says First of all I am a 'CAR ENTHUSIAST' not a boy racer, there is a vast
difference between the two, you don't see CAR ENTHUSIASTS going around in car
with dodgy modifications done to them, doing skids and causing havoc on the
roads. CAR ENTHUSIASTS like my self spend the money and put the hard work in to
make sure everything done on our cars is legal and properly done, to maximize
safety for us and others on the road. I would like to reply to a comment made by
K of North Shore more...
L
says After viewing the Campbell Live debate tonight I now see the problem. Maybe
Noise Off should try and create solutions for the FEW people that create the
noise at nights etc. Now I know you'll probably delete this before you've read
it all but maybe consider the fact not everyone out there has a modified
car/exhaust to disturb the sleep of people. I myself have a modified car for the
simple fact I love modifying cars as you yourself may enjoy fly fishing or
cricket more...
Greg
says I have a car with a modified exhaust and most enthusiast (like myself)
don't drive around suburban areas revving our cars to redline to get peoples
attention and in stupid hours of the morning, I drive sensibly and don't create
a lot of noise. Its not to do with the exhaust but the people driving the cars.
If there is such ban (which I see highly unlikely) how about banning Buses,
Planes, Lawn Mowers, etc. Which create much more noise than 99% of cars with
modified exhausts. The only cars that need to be quitened down are rotary
powered cars with create a shit load of sound even when idling.
John
of Piahia says I watched the segment on boy racers on TV3 this evening and
am of the opinion that the minister is pussy footing. Question: What is the
decibel rating of the average car fitted with what, until recently, was the
standard exhaust and which allowed cars to be seen and only just heard. A
silencer is a silencer. If it can be heard two, three , four or five streets
away it either has a hole blown in it or it is illegal. There are things that
can be done about it tomorrow, if not sooner. I don't believe the minister is
really doing anything except make excuses.
Karl
of Napier says just while I was watching the story on Campbell Live a boy
racer car pulled up in the shell service station across the road and even after
closing the door I had to turn up the TV just listen to the story. The minister
should be doing MORE !! Where are my RIGHTS !!!
January
2007
Janette from North Shore Auckland says I totally agree re audit the WOF
issuers - CLEARLY they already suffer significant hearing loss as they are not
able to recognise that the vast majority of modified exhausts are unsafe to
peoples long term hearing prospects. It is interesting that we have anti-smoking
legislation re public places but permit damaging noise that we are unable to get
away from even when at home. Big bores are just that - big bores.
Derek
form Palmerston North says Below is my letter to the editor, which was
published by the Manawatu Standard on December 7. 2006: "Visit Palmerston
North on any Friday or Saturday evening and it’s always the same scenario - boy
racers creating mayhem. As an up-market bar owner recently told me, it’s got to
the stage where most law-abiding locals over 35 have stopped coming into the
city centre after 9pm. They just don’t want to put up with all the aggression.
Restaurateurs and café owners tell a similar story - the boy racers have the
upper hand in this city – and there’s not a thing the Council is prepared to do
about it. This is insane. Whether it’s ultimately the responsibility of the
Police or the City Council to deal with this menace, action is needed now.
Impound offenders' vehicles, put up speed cameras around the Square, station an
officer or two in strategic spots. Do something. Palmerston North has a major
problem on its hands and the hoons must not be allowed to prevail."
October
2006
Daniel
from Auckland says Having emigrated from the UK the MOT (WOF) there states
reason for failure "a silencer in such condition, or of such a type, that
the noise emitted from the vehicle is clearly unreasonably above the level
expected from a similar vehicle with a silencer in average condition." This
seems reasonable and considerate to others, not just road users. Can we not take
the best bits from other countries and keep the good ideas from New Zealand.
Andy
from Porirua says I agree entirely with your aims. As an immigrant from UK
in 2002, I was amazed at both the noise level of cars and the fact it seemed to
be tolerated. It ruined the first house I bought as I had no idea this sort of
thing went on, and it was intolerable. That cost me lots of money. My second
house isn't that much better as these beasts are everywhere. And I am right down
the end of a dead end street! It must be intolerable anywhere near a through
road. If it was in the UK, these cars would probably be smashed up by annoyed
neighbors overnight if left outside! NZ'ers are far too tolerant of this crap.
It ruins NZ for me, and I would prefer to go back home. I have been back to
Europe three times, and hardly ever notice a noisy car there.
September
2006
Firefighter from Wellington says as a firefighter in Wellington city I often
have to deal with the aftermath caused by the boy racer culture, the disregard
these jerks have for their community surpasses all previous generations, the
only solution is heavy fines and permanent confiscation of the vehicles for
modifying exhaust and suspension systems, the community needs to reclaim the
streets of the city's they live in, what about a national day of protest.
August
2006
John
from Palmerston North says I just had my letter to the Palmerston North
Manawatu Standard re. noisy cars awarded "letter of the week". Let me preface
this letter by saying that I am a car nut but ... to read John's letter
click here.
July 2006
K of
North Shore How pleased I was to find out
that there are some New Zealanders out there who do care about this issue. I
seem to be the only one when I talk about this issue that seems to be bothered.
I thought Kiwis have developed a certain amount of immunity to this problem.
Wake-up NZ you are definitely not as clean and green as you think!
What
single positive effect does having a big bore exhaust have other than drawing
attention to the car that has one and that is exactly the intention. These
brainless unintelligent idiots can't get attention any other way so this is
their way of saying 'up yours' NZ. As for 'blow off valves" - don't get me
started. I thought unnecessary acceleration was an offence - well hello .....
what do 'blow off valves encourage... This just confirms to me that the people
responsible for letting these products be on sale in NZ and legal, are as
brainless as the people who buy them.
Solution:
1) Simply an outright ban on all modified exhaust systems (other than motor
sport cars for competition purposes).
New imported cars should have exhaust systems no higher than 74db the European
standards.
All existing cars in NZ should pass an 80db limit for a phasing in period until
a period in time when all cars in NZ are required to pass 74db.
All off the shelf replacement exhausts systems need to also comply to the 74db
rule to be on sale. All the exhaust companies who lose business through loss of
'big bore ' sales will now be compensated as cars that fail noise test on WOF
will need to be fitted with silencers - not all bad news for Exhaust retailers.
2) Ban all 'blow off' valves there is absolutely no excuse for these to be on
sale.
3) Get rid of existing systems in place when cars go for their warrant of
fitness that will solve the problem in 6 months.
Any cars that slip through the system which will be inevitable, the police will
pick up as these things are hardly discreet and they need to come down hard on
the WOF establishment that ok'd them.
4) In addition to ease pressure in finding guilty parties, a free phone line
should be set up for the public to report offenders.
If the
policy is tough to start with and a clear message is sent then the problem will
disappear and quickly. If this 'pussy footing' PC attitude that is being taken
at the moment continues it will inevitably fail and cost more in Police time and
resources.
Come on
lets make it happen - NOW!!! Can we somehow use the power of email and get a
virus type support message to the Govt.
A
disgruntled North Shore resident who sometimes thinks he's living permanently at
the 24 hour Le Mans race.
June 2006
Rod
said I read with interest the High Court decision outlined in the
newsletter, and while I wholeheartedly approve, I think it raises some
interesting questions regarding the value of our WOF system as a whole.
While the "noticeably and significantly louder" criterion requires a subjective
judgement on behalf of the testing officer, it is a fact that much of our WOF
test requires similar subjective judgements. Examples: tyres have minimum tread
requirements, but the final decision on overall safety lies with the tester, in
using his experience to judge overall condition, such as sidewall damage,
cracking, etc. Brakes not only have to meet a performance standard, but are also
subject to a visual examination of such things as corrosion on metal brake
lines, perishing of rubber brake hoses, etc. Seat belts are also the subject of
visual inspection of the webbing material for fading which may indicate the
material has been wealened by UV exposure. This list could be expanded
considerably, but I think I've made my point that the whole test is a mixture of
measurable standards, and totally subjective judgements based on the tester's
knowledge and experience.
Why is it therefore so difficult for testers to rule
against noisy exhausts?
To me, an
experienced tester should have no problem recognising that a) there will be
minor differences in noise level between an original manufacturer's exhaust and
a generic replacement, and that such minor differences are acceptable, and b)
there is no way that any of the very loud modified systems which are causing the
problems and complaints, can in any respect comply with the rreqirements of the
law. I have where possible taken the opportunity to look at WOFs on cars fitted
with very loud exhausts. Many are issued by major testing organisations such as
On Road, VTNZ and the AA. I am quite frankly astounded by this. I asked in a
letter to Harry Duynhoven if WOF testers could be required to record on the form
if the vehicle has a standard or modified exhaust fitted at the time of
inspection, and he replied that this is being looked into.I think it would help
make the testers more accountable.
Speaking of accountability, it seems that we have very
little of this in New Zealand. In the High Court case we had drivers claiming
they has current WOFs and should not have been ticketed, but the ruling was
against them. As much as I hate loud exhausts, I do have a degree of sympathy in
that they have subjected their cars to the only means of testing available to
them, and were by the issue of WOFs assured that their vehicles complied. To me,
the next logical step is for the appropriate authority to investigate the
issuers of those WOFs and to ensure that they are accountable. But I bet this
hasn't even been contemplated. Someone is not doing the job they are being paid
for.
As a layman, I see and understand that most of our law
enforcement relies on subjective judgements. The Police decision to ticket these
people is indeed subjective, and has held up in court. To me, it seems simple to
push this decision back a stage to the WOF testers. They need to be told to
tighten up on noisy exhausts of face possible suspension of their certification
to issue WOFs.
May 2006
A of
Invercargill There is a very clear WOF test for noisy exhausts and it is
stated clear as day in the WOF VIRM page 11-1-1 Reasons for rejection 6. "The
noise output is noticeably and significantly louder than it would have been when
the vehicle was manufactured with its original exhaust system." You can not get
clearer than that and if a WOF issuer thinks a Honda Accord drove out of the
factory with an exhaust that could be heard a block away then what else is that
WOF issuer missing, one doubts his WOF and mechanical confidence. I have failed
many WOF checks due to the above reason for rejection, only to find the car has
gone elsewhere with same exhaust and been given a new WOF. I believe the
policing of this issue needs to start at the WOF issuers, they would soon get
sick of changing their exhaust system every 6 months to get a WOF. WOF VIRM page
11-1-1 Reason for rejection 3. "The exhaust system is so constructed or modified
that its operation or effectiveness can be readily interfered with." You can not
blame anyone else other than these unconfident WOF issuers for the noisy exhaust
problem that NZ has, maybe a lot of noise directed at the MTA, which most WOF
issuing garages in NZ are members, would be a very productive direction to take.
May 2006
M says
Hey as an owner of a loud vehicle I agree with most of your comments. All
the government needs to do is set an upper decibel limit so we can have
Something to adhere to. At the moment we get pinged for driving my project car
which I enjoy and keeps me from stealing and wasting my time tagging. Why can
there not be a law to help both sides of the argument we are both fed up and
both have beliefs. My car is not extremely loud and was rated at 85 db which I
thought was acceptable but at the moment because a police officer doesn't like
me (because I own a rotary powered vehicle) and doesn't like the type of car I
drive I get a 250 dollar fine and 10 demerit points. How can driving a loud car
warrant 10 demerit points?? How does this cause danger such as speeding? I would
just like to see a limit and all the laws enforced clearly not just towards BOY
RACER cars but towards the big v8s which I frequently see driving the roads
unmuffled.
April
2006
John
says As someone who is plagued day and night by the problem of unnecessary
and gratuitous exhaust noise, I have made complaints galore; to Noise Control,
LTSA, Police, employers of the louts - not one of which had any positive result
whatsoever. Instead, the steadily increasing numbers of hoons continue unabashed
and unabated to disturb the sleep, health and well-being of large numbers of our
citizens.
With New
Zealand politics being as wet and slow-moving as it now is, I have pretty well
abandoned hope that anything effective will be done to stop these abhorrent
**************** in what remains of my lifetime !!!
It is
time we all joined together, became very publicly angry ...
March
2006
Robert
of Papakaura I would consider myself a car enthusiast, and NOT a boyracer.
The distinction in my mind is that I only drive my car if I have somewhere to
go. My daily driven car has a standard exhaust, but I have another car which I
use for motorsport. This car is a road legal car that I use to have fun (I
compete in motorsport events on closed roads or race track. For this car to be
competitive it MUST have a large exhaust (and I admit it is very loud), all
comments I have read on this site indicate that a car shouldn't be on the road
if it has a modified exhaust, I think this is a bit narrow-minded since my race
car must be road legal to compete in some events. What I would like to see
(along with everyone else I assume) is a measurable limit that cars must adhere
to, with an exemption for competition cars. P.S. I notice there are a few
complaints on your website of cars doing burnouts on the road. This is ILLEGAL!
Don't just complain on the internet, call the police next time you see it!
Response from Noise Off...
Noise Off supports an exemption for motor sport vehicles travelling to and from
approved events. This is included in the Wagner Bill drafted for the Ballot.
February
2006
Peter
of Dunedin I moved back to NZ in August 2005 after 17 years in Europe
(Germany/UK). Part of my motivation was the desire for a quieter life in a land
where the car was less dominant. Six months later I no longer harbour such
illusions. Even in Dunedin, suburban streets are blighted by the noise of
modified exhausts. Our house here is solidly built and relatively well insulated
from the road, yet the building sometimes literally reverberates when boy racers
pass in full flight. We have felt more than a little ashamed after recent visits
by European visitors who are unable to understand why there is more traffic
noise on our streets than there is in their home countries! On a political note,
as a long-standing Labour voter I am saddened when I read that much of this
noise seems to result from legislation passed by a Labour government.
December
2005
Bruce
of Waiuku The intrusion of unnecessary noise into our lives is health
robbing and totally exhausting. There is no such thing as tranquility anymore.
In some US cities the police are trained in the use of sound level meters and
they use them. If a car radio can be heard fifty feet away from the vehicle it
can be confiscated. I obtained (and still have displayed) a bumper sticker from
The Noise Pollution Clearinghouse. This reads "Good neighbors keep their Noise
to Themselves".
November
2005
Greg
of Christchurch The manufacturers and fitters of these megaphone resonators
should be targeted along with the users. I recall seeing on T.V. a supplier of
one of these stainless steel things holding it up for the camera. YOU COULD SEE
RIGHT THROUGH IT FROM END TO END. What part of noise moderation ( muffler) is
that?
November
2005
A of Hamilton
I came from a third world country that does not allow the exhaust noise
accepted in New Zealand today. My family and I moved to New Zealand early
2001. We bought our first home in December 2002 on a full section to be
far from neighbourhood noise.
We lived in
peace until mid 2003 when new tenants moved in across from us.
They have been
using their garage for the evil hobby of modifying their vehicles and the
vehicles of their associates. Noisy exhaust pipes (cannot call them mufflers as
they muffle no noise) get tested there, transmissions get replaced, and super
subsonic bass stereos get tested also. The street in front of my house, for
which I pay a part of my rates, shows grooves from spinning tyres (burn outs).
Sometimes the tests go until 3:00am, and burn-outs can be accompanied by
alcohol (bottles get thrown on the street and in gardens of neighbours) and loud
music if it is the weekend. The first group got away with it, and soon their
friends who live next door started doing it. Other neighbours who did not
have the modification facility got their cars done at workshops. Today,
noise from neighbourhood vehicles and other passing cars can be felt in the
floor of my house, and seen in my rattling windows.
It is not my
fault that my house was built to cope with common sense era that did not allow
people to invade other people’s lives with noise assault machines. Nor is
it my fault that we cannot move due to financial reasons. I, the sole bread
earner, have been suffering from lack of sleep for more than two years, not
achieving well at work, my immunity deteriorated (I am getting sick more often),
and when I was studying, I did not achieve very well in my university study.
Every human has the right to sleep. If you take that away from them, you
would be torturing them.
November
2005
Brian
of Nelson It is great to have some organisation at last to combat this
totally unnecessary problem.
November
2005
Scott
of Christchurch Living on the corner of one the busiest intersections in
Christchurch means nightly torment from car exhausts and 'hissing' gear changes.
Housemates from both the US and the Netherlands have been shocked and angered by
the noise and cannot believe that New Zealanders allow it. My health has
suffered- I never suffered migraines before moving into the address and believe
the stress caused has contributed to my now getting them on a regular basis. I
could move, of course, but why should I have to sacrifice a home I love because
of the complete disrespect of these morons? It's time politicians at local,
regional and national level put a stop to this!
October
2005
RS of
Auckland Where is the peoples right to a quiet life? Every day we are
bombarded with the noise generated by these cars when we are walking, shopping,
working or sleeping.
October
2005
Jared of Geraldine I have recently moved away from
Christchurch and one of the reasons for seeking the quiet life was the noise and
problems caused by hoons/boy racers. I commend you on your initiative and hard
work in putting this trust together. I wish you all the best in your endeavors
and will be keeping a close eye on this website.
October
2005
Pat from Hamilton Has a huge impact on tourism so
Tourism NZ and MAINZ should be involved.
September
2005
Brian
from Tauranga Bring in the legislation, that controls the noise levels, and
enforce them at the testing stations and the problem could be reduced
significantly within the first year. As a Mt Maunganui beachfront resident we
certainly see the worst of this problem. My full support for anything you do to
solve the problem.
September
2005
Alison
of Nelson Here in Nelson we suffer, particularly at weekends, from excessive
exhaust noise. Why are exhausts allowed to be modified at all? They should not
be allowed to pass a WOF.
September
2005
John
of Christchurch Certain corners of the auto industry are being allowed to
profit (from exhaust/muffler manufacturers, turbo components and in-car sound
suppliers) at the expense of public well being. WOF stations are powerless.
Shame on the Government & Land Transport NZ for perpetuating this situation.
September
2005
Robert
of Nelson I moved to New Zealand four years ago from the US and in the last
several years I have become extremely irritated by the lack of sensible
regulations to control the noisy and polluting car exhaust systems. The
situations at times make me feel that I moved to a Third World Country. Part of
the reason I chose to move here was for the "Clean and Green" image that New
Zealand projected, but that is now being lost due to all the noisy car exhaust
on the roads. If this situation continues I have seriously considered returning
to the US.
My home is in Nelson, walking distance to town. I use to
enjoy being close to town with all the outdoor cafes, but now the experience is
very unpleasant with all the boy racers zooming through town with their noisy
exhausts vibrating off the buildings. This situation is going to hurt tourism
and all the people in the accommodation, restaurant and tourism industry should
be real concerned.
New Zealand should adopt the same decibel level standard as
the UK. Our ears are no less sensitive than the people in the UK. Also, I do not
believe other countries like the UK or US allows such large exhaust pipes as the
boy racers have here in New Zealand. The diameter of the car exhaust pipes
should be limited to a certain standard. This would better enable the police to
stop and fine drivers of such vehicles because the police would be able to
visibly make that determination. Limiting the diameter of the exhaust pipes
would serve as a better means to enforce the law because it is so easy for
owners of the modified systems to swap them over to conventional systems before
the annual "Warrant and Fitness" test and afterwards switch them back.
September
2005
Felicity of Hamilton halleluiah that there is now hope to deal with this
ghastly intrusion of noise in our lives. I am sick to death of being woken from
my blissful sleep by some jerk ripping noisily past our home in the middle of
the night.
September
2005
Gordon
of Auckland I simply can't understand how loud exhausts systems were ever
allowed to be marketed and sold in this supposedly 'clean green' country without
passing some standard. Noise is a form of pollution too. We shouldn't have to be
subjected to these attention seeking petrol heads.
September
2005
Ian of
Hamilton we love our home but are being driven insane by the local mob who
freely use the street for burn-outs and drag races
September
2005
Valerie of Auckland Clean and green is a misconception whilst we continue to
allow excessive noise and pollution from vehicle emissions. Strongly enforceable
legislation in this regard is long overdue and I am happy to support your cause.
September
2005
Frank
of Auckland I'm Simply sick and tired of the lack of firm action by the
incumbent minister, who evidently has no idea just how unacceptable our noise
problem actually is.
September
2005
EX NZ
motor sport champion North of Auckland As an ex NZ motor sport champion I
support any attempt to reduce the noise that some of these modified systems
produce. We as motorsport competitors had to conform strictly to a noise limit
or you were ordered off the track. I personally think that if the manufacturer
has had to go to all the expense to certify the exhaust system it should NOT be
allowed to be altered. If you want alter it , join a car club and go racing on
club days and see if it passes the test. One could almost think that a
politician has shares in the after market muffler business to allow this noise
issue to creep in. We also lived on a busy suburban street where the noise made
by the BIG muffler brigade actually drove us out. We have purchased in the
country, but even there we have the occasional BIG muffler drive by. I support
anything that may reduce this problem.
September
2005
Karl
of Christchurch Car noise is an aspect of urban toxicity, there is nothing
clean, green or 100% pure about this.
September
2005
Richard of Nelson We suffer the same torture on our street & in many other
streets throughout Nelson. We find it intolerable but feel utterly powerless.
Submissions to council have proved fruitless.
September
2005
Cameron of Winnipeg, Canada While currently serving with the NZ Defence
Force in Canada, this issue spoilt several weekends for my partner and I when
trying to get some sleep while on vacation. I am unsure as to regulations
imposed in Canada, but we are relieved to find that 'boy racers' and their loud
exhausts are non-existent here. Hopefully, that will be the case in NZ by the
time we return.
September
2005
Paul of Guildford England Having recently moved to the
UK perhaps the most pleasant thing we've noticed here is the absence of loud
noises coming from cars (stereos and exhausts). We hope to return to NZ sometime
in the next few years - perhaps by then the government will have listened to the
valid concerns of their electorate and done something about this very real
issue.
September
2005
Alice of Nelson New Zealand has tolerated ridiculously
loud cars for the few which make life miserable for the many.
September
2005
Michael of Auckland There is no justification
whatsoever for having a noisy exhaust system fitted to road going car, it is
just pure selfishness on the part of the owner.
September
2005
Gregory of Christchurch Anyone who has just got a baby
to sleep, only to have baby woken again by a ridiculously loud exhaust, will
support this cause 100 percent. Just stand outside your house after dark on a
weekend and you will realise just how invasive the noise from these gimmick
exhausts are. I will begin with forwarding the Noise Off link to all the people
I know who are tired of exhaust noise. Which is, incidentally, everybody I know.
September
2005
Greg of Auckland Noisy boy races have hijacked our
roads, making our towns and communities look and sound more like the Wild West.
September
2005
David of Hamilton I am a retired A Grade motor
mechanic. All manufacturers spend millions of dollars in producing a quiet,
efficient and safe vehicle. The New Zealand motor trade has fringe industries
who produce modified after market exhaust systems that are the cause of most of
our worries. These industries make a lot of money making and fitting this
equipment, often removing catalytic converters and emission control equipment in
the process, causing other problems. I have made a submission to the authority
who laid down the last regulations. Summary: All safety equipment, safety glass,
headlight and tail light lenses and reflectors, tyres, brake fluid etc have to
meet certain industry standards (DOT, JIS, SAE etc). These items can easily be
recognized during certificate and warrant checks. I suggest that exhaust
components also carry an industry standard mark so that they can be recognized
by any mechanic or testing officer during certificate and warrant of fitness
checks. It is not satisfactory to use the human ear as a basis of testing these
components and it is somewhat difficult to find equipment to measure decibel
levels.
September
2005
Richard of The West Coast The noise factor in cars is
getting worse and is becoming an environmental problem. It could be sorted out
if the politicians had the intestinal fortitude to do it.
September
2005
Nigel of Auckland I came out from the UK in January, I
find the noise of both car exhausts and in-car entertainment systems risible and
an infringement of my human rights. It is not possible, especially in the
evenings, to sit outside a cafe with a cup of coffee without being assaulted by
the deliberately contrived noise of passing cars. I note also with dismay that
exhaust emissions are not subject to testing here in NZ.
September
2005
Megan of Auckland This is great and I am not surprised
that the support for this cause will be huge.
September
2005
James
of Central Auckland I've spent the last six weeks in several towns on the
Scottish borders and haven't heard one raucous exhaust. New Zealand has a
problem.
September
2005
Michael of New Plymouth I am sick to death of them and
in the end moved to escape them
September
2005
Bruce of Tauranga Mount Maunganui is the largest
export port in N Z and has a large concentration of heavy trucks. Except for the
odd older vehicle they comply with European standards and even with 600
horsepower cause no noise problem. Cars with modified exhausts however descend
on the town from Thursday nite till Sunday, or every day in the summer. Our
family refuse to stay with us due to the noise from the cruising brigade.
September
2005
Graham of Auckland It would have to be made illegal
for the motorist to use the removable baffle device that is being install in
these cars.
September
2005
Mel of South Korea I hope that by joining noise off I
can help improve the health and wellbeing of our NZ people and protect our
environment. I want to come home to clean, quiet and healthy country.
September
2005
Virginia of Christchurch Fanbloodytastic you have set up a Trust to try and
tackle this hell awful problem head on. It is just so 'out of control' it is
laughable and seems the Govt. don't give a '.......' hoot about the problem as
it just falls on deaf ears time in memorial. I live in a double glazed house,
have ALL windows shut tight, and still the decibels scream and roar into house
September
2005
Jennifer of Tauranga I live on a very busy road and the noisy cars drive me
mad.
September
2005
Paul
of Napier Thank you for taking the initiative to organize efforts to
reduce vehicle noise. The LTSA's lack of guts to take an aggressive stance on
vehicle noise is unbelievably irresponsible. This is not helped by the local
police in Napier showing little interest at enforcement
September
2005
John
of Auckland In South Auckland we are plagued 24 hours a day by constant
noise from the vehicles of anti-social hoons who deliberately modify exhausts
and sound systems to create as much noise as possible. Authorities - including
Police - need to change their thinking towards seeing this as a serious problem
meriting regular pro-active enforcement.
September
2005
MM of
Auckland Exhaust noise in NZ is beyond a nuisance--it clearly has public
health ramifications.
September
2005
Quentin of Auckland It is ridiculous that we have put up with the noise for
this long.
September
2005
John
of Hamilton Thank you for tasking the initiative in this matter.
I have found it disheartening to return to NZ from overseas and have my nights
and evenings disrupted by noisy cars. This does not happen overseas. I have been
expecting some government initiatives to help but nothing seems to actually
happen and the racket continues.
September
2005
Michael of Auckland Good on you for making a stand on excessive noise
pollution - the word "muffler" means to make quieter - not make louder. I can't
stand the noise these modified mufflers make - the sooner they aren't allowed to
buy these modified mufflers - the better.
September
2005
Grant
of Auckland The LTSA's lame response to my questions in particular
infuriated me. they tell me they are working on the problem but the fact it has
been with us now for 4-5 years suggests they are grossly ineffective
September
2005
Justin
of Auckland Having a car with a noisy exhaust living in the same right of
way with you can make life a misery when your peace and quiet is at the mercy of
their comings and goings. Council won't/can't do a thing about it and Noise
Control don't want to know about anything but stereos and noisy parties. The
whole neighbourhood is made to suffer if the noisy car owners keep irregular
hours (i.e. the middle of the night).
September
2005
Daniel
of Auckland Good on you for starting the fight against the "Brainless Few",
who are spoiling the lives of so many around New Zealand.
September
2005
Derek
of Mosgiel This is a major national disgrace that has been allowed to
continue for far too long.
September
2005
Claire
of Auckland So pleased to discover others are standing up and not letting
the small group of individuals ruin our neighborhoods. The police need to sit on
our road on a Friday/Saturday night and see how ridiculous the noise and speeds
can actually be.
September
2005
John
of Auckland Well done, its about time ! I cannot believe the racket that
these 'little-boy racers make'...it drives me nuts ! How do they get a
warrant-of-fitness anyway? I always say to my wife-"there goes another one, big
exhaust, but a small dick" ! Hope something can be done-for all our sakes.
September
2005
Murray
of RD2 Christchurch The noise regulations in NZ are but a joke, "Rage" type
exhaust systems should be banned, ask anyone who visits our city on a Friday
evening,
September
2005
Keith
of Christchurch I fail to understand why a reasonably robust noise standard
cannot be implemented as part of the WOF procedure!
September
2005
Julie
of Christchurch I am considering relocating as I have not had a decent night
in my new home for more than two years. I am a fairly new resident in New
Zealand and I am appalled at the level of noise and driving of the youngsters
here.
September
2005
Michelle of Christchurch listening to the noisey cars is very stressful
September
2005
Rodney
of Christchurch noise in my area, especially on Friday and Saturday after
midnight, is outrageously high. the government is being 'limp' regarding this
issue!
September
2005
PM of
Nelson
My time working with
police staff has also seen that the noise issue is one that they don't have
adequate resources to address, the measuring of sound is a grey area and they
don't in-fact the equipment on hand to carry out a scientific and exact check,
generally they are carried out at a Vehicle Testing Station which is time
consuming and waste of police time and resource. Investigation needs to be done
as to how this noise levels can tested with a portable and accurate device.
September
2005
Nick
of Christchurch Double glazing didn't
keep the noise out and it drove me to sell my house in the end.
September
2005
Mark
of Auckland I have lived in New
Zealand for over two years, I have yet to have a nights sleep without being
woken up by cars with noisy exhausts.
September
2005
Andrew
of Auckland I think what you are doing is
right on the mark. You have put together a very fair and equitable proposal
which I think should be put introduced into legislation.
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