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Comment by MarkSweep | Hacker News Reader

Is there any similar campaign to have something done about loud vehicles?

New York has implemented automated tickets for loud vehicles:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a39105913/new-york-automat...

I'd like to see a version for headlights, but the logistics would be tricky. It's common in my area for people to lift their trucks, and they rarely readjust their headlights afterwards.

Every vehicle in (most?) states have to already be checked regularly for things like emissions. There's no reason we couldn't check for improper lights as part of that.

Emissions inspections are being sunset in more places. Even where they're alive and well, it's gone from an active check with a tailpipe detector and a dynamometer to just plugging into the ODB-II and a visual inspection for unauthorized emission modifications. maybe a check for smoke in neutral when going from idle to full throttle and back.

Americans don't want their cars inspected, so a new inspection criteria is unlikely. For those subject to mandatory safety inspections, it might already be part of the test.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_inspection_in_the_Unit...

I'm all in for freedom, but this is kinda crazy.

Some states do check for headlight alignment.

I am similarly irritated by loud vehicles and wonder why they are allowed to persist. Would this be better enforced if it didn't rely 100% on officer testimony? I wonder if there is a market for a "sound camera" that could be marketed to police departments. The idea would be that you point this thing at cars, like their radar gun, and it captures video, sound, and the # of decibels. Only thing I don't know is if there is a way to attribute particular sounds to particular objects found in the video. This would, potentially, give them the hard evidence to ticket these cases. If there is an easy way to make money off these, the police would be sure to enforce it.

I'm always amazed at how loud passenger pickup trucks are by default here in the US - growing up in Canada, pickup trucks were generally quiet / unobtrusive unless user modified. Here, they seem to come LOUD from the factory - probably less regulations, and it's cheaper to have a loud muffler and/or get a few more hp/lb-ft for the towing wars.

And because the clientele who buy trucks generally WANT something that sounds loud and powerful. Not saying that's good or bad, just how it is.

> Is there any similar campaign to have something done about loud vehicles?

There are already US regulations on car noise,[0] and in more general circumstances,[1][2] but once it's purchased it can be altered by the owner, and then it's often up to local authorities to enforce local (and state[3]) noise by-laws.

[0] https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/325.7

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_Control_Act

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_regulation

[3] https://www.semasan.com/resources/exhaust-noise-laws-state

Yes, in the Netherlands, NYC and elsewhere: https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a60583398/nyc-noise-camera...

I hope so. It's a "war" that I can get behind. Nothing more annoying than some insecure loser revving his engine while driving by your house. It's both noise and air pollution. Should be banned outright.

Electric cars. Although that zany hwooooooooo sound they make is naff.

That sound is only when they drive below 30kmh (or 20?) and could be actually more obvious if you ask me. Let's not forget this warning sound is not for the driver/owner, but for the people on the street.

That's a war thats being won by EVs.

By using engine simulation sounds

Because they're too quiet?

There are EV's that have gotten tickets for being too loud: https://www.thedrive.com/news/hyundai-steps-in-to-help-elant...

The Elantra N is not electric.

That’s a link to a standard gas vehicle being ticketed.

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