So-called noise cameras, designed to detect excessively noisy motorists, are being trialled throughout the UK…
Noise Cameras to be Trialled
British drivers are more than familiar with the hundreds, if not thousands, of speed cameras that dot the nation’s road network. However, they may soon be keeping their eyes peeled for so-called ‘noise cameras’. Being rolled out in the likes of Birmingham, Bristol, Bradford and Great Yarmouth, they’re a new technology designed to catch out needlessly rowdy motorists who plague local communities.
The technology makes use of a number of small microphones, working in tandem with a video cameras, that can pinpoint excessively noisy vehicles. Drivers that needlessly rev their engines, or use illegal exhausts, will be caught out. When they are, the noise cameras will take a photo of the vehicle and record the volume of noise created. This can be used as evidence by local police, who can then issue fines.
Noise pollution is a major problem for parts of the UK, where residential areas are bombarded with the volume of heavy vehicular traffic. Research suggests that excessive noise caused by traffic can have a detrimental effect on mental and physical health – even reducing life expectancy. It’s also, notably, an issue that disproportionately affects poorer communities.
‘Rowdy Road Drivers Beware’
Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the Transport Secretary, commented on the noise camera trials. She said, ‘rowdy road drivers beware. These new cameras will help the police clampdown on those who break the legal noise limits or use illegal modified exhausts to make excessive noise in our communities’.
She continued, ‘we’ll be working closely with the local authorities and police to share any findings. And I hope that this technology paves the way for quieter, peaceful streets across the country’.
Gloria Elliott, chief executive of the Noise Abatement Society, welcomed the initiative. She said, “excessively noisy vehicles and anti-social driving causes disturbance, stress, anxiety and pain to many. It is unsafe and disrupts the environment and people’s peaceful enjoyment of their homes and public places”.
She added, “communities across the UK are increasingly suffering from this entirely avoidable blight. The Noise Abatement Society applauds rigorous, effective, evidence-based solutions to address this issue and protect the public”.
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