Cst. Keira Brooks, of Barrie Police Service helps test out a system that measures the loudness of vehicles in that city. Toronto is seeking a similar system. Photo by BarrieToday.
Starting on June 1 Toronto Police officers will begin cracking down on loud noise in the City.
Officers with sound meters will going to homes or businesses with noise complaints and pulling over loud vehicles to check their sound levels.
There will also be noise blitzes conducted by police on area roadways following complaints of loud traffic noise.
The City is requesting areas from residents where police can conduct joint illegal muffler enforcement events involving Municipal Licensing and Standards Division.
Police in Dearborn, Michigan with portable loud noise detector to nab vehicles or motorcycles with modified exhausts.
“This will be combined with other data sets and not all locations will be selected as certain criteria must be met,” according to City staff.
On June 1 new decibel limits for motor vehicles and motorcycles of 92 decibel at idle and 96 decibel at any engine speed greater than idle, measured 50 centimetres from the exhaust, will come into effect.
The City is targeting illegally modified vehicles by requesting the province increase fines and demerit points for noisy vehicles; develop stricter and more specific regulations in regards to vehicle modifications; periodic inspections for vehicle exhausts and modifications.
Loud noise detectors installed on high posts to detect loud vehicles. The devices can automatically send out a ticket to the registered owner of a modified vehicle.
Officials also want to initiate noise activated cameras, in an automated noise enforcement pilot project, which will automatically issue a ticket for loud noise.
The City has also requested Toronto Police conduct joint vehicle enforcement blitzes with bylaw enforcement and explore equipping police officers with sound level meters to target vehicle noise.
Staff will also educate licensed car repair facilities that muffler cut-outs, straight exhausts, gutted mufflers, Hollywood mufflers, by-passes and similar devices are banned under the Highway Traffic Act.
The City has requested that police explore equipping and training its Traffic Services Unit on sound level meters to support enforcement of excessive motor vehicle noise.
Police launch a campaign to target vehicles making loud sounds that will start on June 1.
Mayor Olivia Chow said in a city as large and vibrant as Toronto, certain levels of noise are reasonable and reflect life in a densely populated city.
“The changes to the Noise Bylaw that Council adopted demonstrate that we are listening to residents’ concerns about noise and are taking action,” Chow said. We are ‘balancing the competing needs of people living, working and visiting our ever-growing city.”
Chief Myron Demkiw said six noise enforcement blitzes, including one in the Humber Bay West area, were conducted in 2022 and there were no charges to vehicles as most of the complaints were against loud motorcycles.
Condo residents in the Humber Bay Shores area have long complained that street racing cars or loud vehicle noise are disrupting their way of life.