Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Toronto’s city government is stepping up its efforts to combat excessive noise from vehicles on the road.
Vehicle noise targeted by the city includes engine revving, tire squealing, loud stereos, deafening mufflers, blaring horns or alarms, and modified exhaust systems — basically any raucous sounds that create a public nuisance or disrupt everyday life.
According the World Health Organization, too much noise is more than just an annoyance. It’s also harmful to people’s health, with consequences like hearing loss, interrupted sleep, heart problems, and heightened stress levels.
City officials also noted that many of these noises are associated with racing or stunt driving and could indicate additional risks for residents.
One Smooth Sedan: Learn about the 2019 Hyundai Elantra
Don’t try this at home, or on the streets of Toronto
Noise complaints rose last year in Toronto, with nearly 13,000 filed. In comparison, about 11,300 complaints were recorded in 2017.
In response, Toronto police have already started slapping drivers with more noise citations. For example, during the first week of July, officers issued 44 citations, compared with 600 for all of 2018.
For now, police are concentrating on parts of the city where the most complaints have been filed. Patrol hours have been expanded so officers can more easily catch and prevent offenses.
Authorities have a range of bylaws to draw on for these efforts, including $110 fines for excessive noise. In October, they’ll have even more rules in their arsenal. These new bylaws will provide highly specific guidelines about which kinds of noise are prohibited or limited, including “unnecessary vehicle noise,” loud sounds resulting from vehicle modifications and testing, and motorcycles that roar above a certain decibel level.
Unique and Unconventional: Meet the 2019 Hyundai Veloster
News Sources: CBC, Autotrader
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.
