SLEEP Act would make loud vehicle exhausts illegal in Pennsylvania
(WTAJ) — Loud aftermarket exhausts could be a thing of the past in Pennsylvania if the SLEEP Act were to become law.
The SLEEP (Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution) Act would ban aftermarket exhausts for all vehicles, including ATVs, that are louder than permitted by law. The act would also make it part of the yearly state vehicle inspection to check decibel levels of exhaust systems.
The act, being co-sponsored by House representatives Jared Solomon(D-Philadelphia) and Pat Gallagher(D-Philadelphia), is an attempt to reduce noise pollution and improve the quality of life in Pennsylvania neighborhoods.
'Excessively loud vehicles don't just disrupt our peace and quiet—they can also lower property values, increase air pollution, and burden local police with rising noise complaints and enforcement costs,' the duo wrote in a co-sponsorship memo.
In addition to banning loud aftermarket exhausts, the act would also do the following:
Apply to vehicles made after 1978, whether the modified equipment was installed in Pennsylvania or another state.
Set modern noise testing standards using updated decibel limits and distance-based sound measurements.
Require law enforcement training on how to measure vehicle noise accurately and enforce the law.
Ensure vehicles with illegal exhaust systems fail inspection.
Require PennDOT to hold official vehicle inspection stations accountable if they repeatedly allow non-compliant vehicles to pass.
Impose penalties of up to $1,000 in fines, 30 days in jail, or both for violations.The published memo does not specify when the act might be introduced into the House committee.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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