Six in ten drivers want to see anti-noise pollution measures in place

09 October 2023

The RAC recently conducted a survey which found that six in ten drivers would like to see technology that can detect vehicles producing noise pollution above legal levels implemented on UK roads.

Excessive noise is usually made by drivers who unnecessarily rev their engines or have modified their vehicles with loud exhausts.

Noise camera trials, funded by the Department for Transport, began in Bradford, Bristol, Great Yarmouth and Birmingham in October 2022.

Video cameras and a number of microphones are used to detect vehicles exceeding the noise limit of 74 decibels. Offending vehicles are pictures and the noise level is recorded. This digital evidence package is then used by local police to issue fines to drivers.

Other key findings from the RAC survey were:

• 34 per cent of respondents said they regularly hear loud revving engines or excessively loud exhausts. (Rising to 47 per cent in London and to 40 per cent in Wales and Scotland)
• 51 per cent said they occasionally hear one or more vehicles with loud exhausts.
• Asked for their opinions about whether the current £50 on-the-spot fine for a vehicle breaching the 74-decibel limit is appropriate, drivers were split.
• 39 per cent felt that a suggested £50 on-the-spot fine for noise pollution offenders was fair (37 per cent disagreed with the fine and 24 per cent were undecided)
• Of those who felt the fine wasn’t high enough, 43 per cent suggested a £200 fine and a driving ban until the exhaust was found to comply with the legal decibel limit was more appropriate. (Rising to 67 per cent amongst London residents)

Currently, there is no requirement for MOT testers to use decibel meters to check exhaust noise levels. This is despite the fact that statistics from the government estimate that the annual social cost of urban road noise is up to £10 billion, including factors such as lost productivity from sleep disturbance and health costs. 

Roads minister Richard Holden said, “Boy racers are an anti-social menace and we have extensively trialled noise camera technology in various parts of the country over the past year.

“We are currently analysing data from the trials and will update in due course on any future measures which will help bring peace and tranquillity back to our towns, cities and villages.”

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