[civtehc]

whats this i hear about fines for "loud" exhausts in town, and get caught a second time get impounded? some input

[Dentz]

Asfaik, there's no defined limit for what's loud and what isn't under our law. It's all up to the officer's opinion.

[Elevorett]

although,

Am I mistaken that in Vancouver police can use a device that measures the decibels of your exhaust and can fine you for excessive noise?

[mr_baboon]

We questioned a cop about this one Friday night at Timmys, and yes, the Saanich Police do have decibel meters, and yes, they will use them.

But it's still up to the officer's discretion.

[Fleemer]

whats this i hear about fines for "loud" exhausts in town, and get caught a second time get impounded? some input

where is this shown?

and what do they consider loud? Are they going to tackle harleys too? if not i'd protest! :P

But it's still up to the officer's discretion.

Hasn't it allways been.... I mean, how else could a 87 mazda 323 be street racing a rx7 and 180sx :P (actually happened, tried to accuse us of street racing. Seriously, was in the wifes 4 door mazda wtf :P)

[stevo911_]

its in the motor vehicle act, if you look in the police forum its been covered many a time, there is a set procedure for measuring the volume (1m back and 1m up from where the exhaust exits or something like that) and cars are limited to 87db, light trucks to 89db, and motorcycles to 91db (or something around there)

[m1ataman]

Except Harleys for some reason. They seem to be exempt.

[civtehc]

i herd this yesterday around 5 on the radio,that Victoria police will be targeting modified cars with loud exhausts and issuing 109$ fines the first time and if caught a second time they will be impounded, due to the large amounts of noise complaints directed toward import cars

[Enraged]

nothing like spending tax dollars on another useless task.

[Great68]

The loud harleys are WAY more annoying, and it seems like there's WAY more of them.

[Enraged]

the thing is, most harley riders in victoria are respectable mid-life crisis semi-retirees, while most import drivers are young ignorant kids that street race.

or at least thats how most people see it.

[Great68]

the thing is, most harley riders in victoria are respectable mid-life crisis semi-retirees, while most import drivers are young ignorant kids that street race.

or at least thats how most people see it.

I hear more than my fair share of harleys BLAAAAAAAAAAPPPing up hillside from my bedroom window. It gets freaking annoying, I can't sleep with the window open, and I'm not close to hillside. They always seem like they just HAVE to give their bike full throttle to get moving.

I hear fart-pounders too but not near as many as harleys.

[jigga250]

come on guys, its not like theres a drug/homeless problem in this town or anything:rolleyes:

[sebberry]

The only ones who should be pissed off at this are the ones whos cars are so loud they are pissing people off who are trying to sleep. Not everyone lives on a quiet residential street away from the main roads.

AFAIK, there is no set procedure for measuring the noise limits outlined in the MVA.

[stevo911_]

^nevermind, the procedure bit was something some other member posted up, not in the MVA and here's what it actually has to say:

Vehicle noise

27 A motor vehicle shall be equipped with an exhaust muffler which complies with section 7.03 of the regulations.

The opinion of an inspector as to whether the engine and exhaust noise is greater than that made by other vehicles in good condition of comparable size, horsepower, piston displacement or compression ratio shall determine whether exhaust gases are expelled with excessive noise.

When tested in an inspection station, the vehicle engine, any auxiliary engine and exhaust level shall not exceed Table 3 standards.

[en. B.C. Reg. 658/76, s. 2.]

Table 3

[am. B.C. Reg. 656/76, s. 2.]
Class of Vehicle Maximum Allowable
Sound Pressure Level
DBA
Light duty 83
Gasoline-driven heavy duty 88
Motorcycles 91
Diesel-driven heavy duty 93

[Enraged]

"The opinion of an inspector as to whether the engine and exhaust noise is greater than that made by other vehicles in good condition of comparable size, horsepower, piston displacement or compression ratio shall determine whether exhaust gases are expelled with excessive noise."

so what if you have more horsepower, ie a 500hp modified car vs a 200hp stock car? can your car be louder? :lol

[Victoria SiR]

:cry:

[ness_71]

Bikes ARE included. There was a harley guy on the news yesterday saying it's a safety issue if people can't HEAR you pull up beside them.. I loled.
They are enforcing the noise issue because of all the complaints they've been getting, at least they are doing something that involves listening to the people. People bitch about everything here, if you don't like it then leave.

[ostampflee]

Man, I must be getting old... I'm agreeing with the cops on this one.

[ChrisStang]

where is this shown?

and what do they consider loud? Are they going to tackle harleys too? if not i'd protest! :P


It is specified in the MVA, and there are different limits for bikes. Doh, disregard, someone already mentioned this.. :(

[ChrisStang]

"The opinion of an inspector as to whether the engine and exhaust noise is greater than that made by other vehicles in good condition of comparable size, horsepower, piston displacement or compression ratio shall determine whether exhaust gases are expelled with excessive noise."

so what if you have more horsepower, ie a 500hp modified car vs a 200hp stock car? can your car be louder? :lol

My Lighting can be pretty loud then... Fart can Hondas are in trouble though.

[Enraged]

or you can just run a nice quiet exhaust system.... with electric cutouts.

[stevo911_]

Bikes ARE included. There was a harley guy on the news yesterday saying it's a safety issue if people can't HEAR you pull up beside them.. I loled.
They are enforcing the noise issue because of all the complaints they've been getting, at least they are doing something that involves listening to the people. People bitch about everything here, if you don't like it then leave.

theres alotta people that believe loud pipes save lives, hell the san diego (or san francisco cant remember which) police department equipped all their bikes with loud exhausts for this reason. To a degree it makes a little sense since from my observations bikes are more difficult to see (even when directly in your line of sight). but its still retarded, spend your money on a better horn and a proper riders training program

[civtehc]

bottom line should be a saftey issue, should it matter if a car, truck or bike is loud? yes people complain but they've made a point of directing there attention to modified cars with loud exhausts, not 20 year old cars with mufflers falling off or unsafe brakes, my car isn't even loud, personally i can't stand loud cars but my car does fit the description of modified and i know i take the chance of getting pulled over for being flashy, but i mean there are far more important things to be looking for than loud cars. I see my fare share of unsafe cars come though my work and wonder how they even maneged to make it in

[xsteinbachx]

My Lighting can be pretty loud then... Fart can Hondas are in trouble though.

I farted as I read this.

[Fleemer]

I agree to a certain extent. The only thing I don't like about it is that its another excuse for police to give out tickets on their discretion.

[Black SC2]

Louder doesn't always mean faster. It's possible to go out and buy an exhaust system that will give you the performance you want, and stay within striking distance of the law.

I don't think this will be a means for cops to 'target' modified cars, though I won't be surprised if unnecessary noise citations get tacked onto speeding tickets etc. Hell, it's not even a new law. I've had an unnecessary noise violation before, this was like 5 years ago now.

[Great68]

Don't drive in a manner that attracts attention, and I bet the police won't bother you.

[Fleemer]

Don't drive in a manner that attracts attention, and I bet the police won't bother you.

This is true, 100%.

I may drive one of the loudest cars in Victoria, but I never drive like an ass or rev the crap out of my engine in town.

I know its loud so I pussy foot it everywhere other then the highway. I've driven by cops and they haven't said anything (though I clutch in :P)

Maybe I'm just really really lucky ;P

[h0tSX]

Hahaha, oh Victoria. We must be the richest city in BC with property taxes, pay parking and traffic fine revenue.

I wouldn't worry about it guys, it's a dumb law, and it's gonna be randomly enforced. The rule was obviously put through to make a bunch of whiny elderfolk happy. most cops are nice. Just watch out for the IRSU guys, that's where they send all the super by the book boneheads who grow "authority moustaches".

[dark0821]

impound car for loud exhaust eh.. damn..

[sebberry]

Hahaha, oh Victoria. We must be the richest city in BC with property taxes, pay parking and traffic fine revenue.

I wouldn't worry about it guys, it's a dumb law, and it's gonna be randomly enforced. The rule was obviously put through to make a bunch of whiny elderfolk happy. most cops are nice. Just watch out for the IRSU guys, that's where they send all the super by the book boneheads who grow "authority moustaches".

The noise laws have been around for a long time, the police are simply starting to enforce it mostly at the request of downtown residents and businesses.

I'm in my mid 20s and while I can tolerate traffic noise in and out of the city where I live, it's not very fun to be woken up by fart canon mufflters in the middle of the night.

[sebberry]

This is true, 100%.

I may drive one of the loudest cars in Victoria, but I never drive like an ass or rev the crap out of my engine in town.

I know its loud so I pussy foot it everywhere other then the highway. I've driven by cops and they haven't said anything (though I clutch in :P)

Maybe I'm just really really lucky ;P

It's funny how when I am laying in bed I can tell when some of the folks with loud cars are trying to be quiet when taking off at the lights outside. But I can still hear them :p

[Black SC2]

We were discussing this at work the other day, and an interesting thought came up regarding the 'loud pipes save lives' argument. Of all the guys you see and hear with the loud pipes, how many of them are wearing skull cap helmets, no leathers, no signals, no visi vest, and are splitting lanes? All but one maybe? It's an interesting argument, but in general terms, the guys who ride the safest tend to be on quieter bikes. The ones claiming more noise is a safety issue are ignoring so many of the basic rider safety rules it negates their argument.

[Enraged]

good point. i think some of those should become mandatory for riding a bike. there are even airbag vests/jackets available for bikers now.

[Fleemer]

Anyone have a link to the specifics to the law? As to how you can "fight" it regarding engine size, displacement, type and turbo etc.

I'm hoping 2 strokes have a louder DB then most cars... (gogo rotary :P)

Just a heads up, but cops in esquimault have been staking out Action motorcycles. Stopping "loud bikes" with non stock exhaust. I was told that they are looking for anything that stands out form normal traffic, EI modified cars, and giving tickets and inspections.

[Adsdeman]

I am so sick of these exhaust questions. If u have a loud car u are going to be pulled over sooner or later, deal with it!

[Fleemer]

I am so sick of these exhaust questions. If u have a loud car u are going to be pulled over sooner or later, deal with it!

Loud is relative. I'm just worried about the rumors I hear about cars being ticketed if they have non stock exhaust. My car isn't loud, and has a nice idle. Its only loud if I open the throttle past 1/3. So I can drive it around and not get noticed (have been for a year now)

If I do get a ticket, I want to be able to defend myself if I feel it is unjust/unfair or wrong. Just curious of it is now just up to the police officers interpretation.