Noisy exhausts causing anxiety, police boss says

Excessively noisy vehicle exhausts are causing "anxiety and stress" to residents, according to the results of a survey by a police and crime commissioner (PCC).

Donna Jones, who represents Hampshire and Isle of Wight, is campaigning for a legally enforceable roadside decibel (dB) limit, without which she said makes it difficult for police forces to combat the problem.

She said more than 4,400 people took part in a survey, showing the issue "affects wellbeing, road safety and quality of life".

The Department for Transport (DfT) has previously said noisy exhausts were a "nuisance" and said officers have a range of powers to combat anti-social driving.

The legal limit for a vehicle's exhaust is 72dB for cars made since 2016, but some are modified to make them louder, which is illegal.

New motorcycles are limited to between 73 and 77dB.

Jones has called for more government action to tackle the issue.

The commissioner's office launched a survey and petition in August to "better understand people's experiences of vehicle exhaust noise and how it affects their day-to-day life".

Jones said "What was clear is that excessive vehicle noise is not only viewed as an annoyance but an issue that affects wellbeing, road safety and quality of life in our communities.

"Many detailed how it's causing them anxiety and stress, impacting their sleep and their ability to work in and enjoy their homes.

"Concerns were also raised about how it's often linked to dangerous driving. This is unacceptable."

The breakdown of survey results showed 59.2% of respondents from Gosport reported being affected by excessive vehicle noise daily.

Test Valley had the highest proportion - 68.9% - wanting to see a legally enforceable roadside noise limit.

The DfT trialled noise camera technology, in which a video camera with microphones accurately pinpointed "excessively noisy vehicles" as they passed by, in 2022.

In a statement last month, the department said: "Noisy exhausts are a nuisance. The Crime and Policing Act removed the need for police officers to issue a warning before seizing a vehicle being used anti-social.

"We are keeping the evidence on new technologies like noise cameras under review, but it's right that local authorities, who know their communities best, decide how to use them."