Noise cameras trialled to detect ‘rowdy drivers’
A new noise-detecting traffic camera is being trialled to crack down on so-called ‘boy racers’ who break the law by revving engines and using modified exhausts.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said the camera will initially be installed in Bradford from Tuesday (October 18) before being deployed in Bristol, Great Yarmouth and Birmingham over the next two months.
The new technology uses a video camera in conjunction with a number of microphones to accurately pinpoint excessively noisy vehicles as they pass by.
This means that if drivers break the law by revving their engines unnecessarily or using illegal exhausts, they will be automatically detected, said the DfT.
The camera takes a picture of the vehicle and records the noise level to create a digital package of evidence that can be used by police to fine drivers.
The trials are being backed by a £300,000 government investment. The Transport Secretary said the four locations hosting the new ‘noise camera’ were selected following a government-backed competition to tackle noise pollution on some of the loudest streets in Britain.
Road noise is known to contribute to health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and dementia, and the annual social cost of urban road noise, including lost productivity from sleep disturbance and health costs is estimated to be up to £10 billion.
Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “Rowdy road drivers beware – these new cameras will help the police clamp down on those who break the legal noise limits or use illegal modified exhausts to make excessive noise in our communities.
“We’ll be working closely with the local authorities and police to share any findings, and I hope that this technology paves the way for quieter, peaceful streets across the country.”
She said “extensive testing” was carried out at a private test track facility to perfect the technology. If successful, the cameras could be rolled out nationwide.
Noise Abatement Society chief executive Gloria Elliott OBE said: “Excessively noisy vehicles and anti-social driving causes disturbance, stress, anxiety and pain to many. It is unsafe and disrupts the environment and people’s peaceful enjoyment of their homes and public places.
“Communities across the UK are increasingly suffering from this entirely avoidable blight. The Noise Abatement Society applauds rigorous, effective, evidence-based solutions to address this issue and protect the public.”
The trials are being led by the Atkins-Jacobs Joint Venture, formed by the two professional services firms to provide technical consultancy, including acoustics expertise, design, modelling and asset management. The noise camera has been designed and developed by MicrodB.
Atkins Jacobs Joint Venture practice director Andrew Pearce said: “The real-world trials of the technology solution the Atkins Jacobs JV has developed and tested on the track is an important step for the scheme towards solving a problem that affects many communities across the UK.
“We are fully expecting the trial in these four chosen locations to confirm what we have seen in testing, which is a highly targeted use of technology to ensure only those motorists making excessive noise will be subject to enforcement.”
The DfT said it continues to work closely with all local authorities and MPs to tackle rowdy, illegal noise disruption from traffic.