11 hours ago
City starts crackdown on noisy vehicles in residential, commercial areas
The city says it's cracking down on noisy vehicles by increasing monitoring in residential communities and specific commercial areas like 17th Avenue.
Using calibrated decibel meters and noise sensors, the city's traffic safety team will document violations, focusing on areas with high traffic complaints and noise reports.
"The overall goal is to reduce it… to make them a little bit quieter, make them a little more comfortable for people that are being impacted and affected by this across Calgary," said Bradley Johnson, head of the traffic safety team.
Fines include $270 for operating a vehicle over the legal noise limit and $300 for failing to comply during a noise level test.
Common noisy vehicle violations include: loud exhausts and mufflers, excessive engine revving, squealing tires, roaring or explosive sounds, loud stereos, amplification equipment, and vehicle alarms.
Modifying a vehicle to increase its noise — such as installing aftermarket mufflers — is also a violation of the Traffic Safety Act and will be subject to fines.
"Alongside a decibel reading, we also take into consideration, you know, the time of day, the location of the noise ... how many people are around, what's going on, to kind of incorporate a full look at what is going on in the area and the impact that this noise may be causing for citizens," Johnson said.
The traffic safety team launched back in March, and is a 12-month pilot program focused on tackling noisy vehicle violations, enforcing speed limits in playground zones and promoting traffic safety education.
The team includes eight peace officers and two sergeants, building on the Calgary Police Service's ongoing work.
Ernie Tsu, president of the Alberta Hospitality Association and owner of Trolley 5 Restaurant and Brewery on 17th Avenue, said loud vehicles have always been a problem on the busy street, and while it seems to have gotten better over the last couple of years, it is still an issue.
"All of us businesses are kind of holding our breath back to see how the city's going to enforce it and if it actually happens," he said of the crackdown.
"We're hoping that, you know, when we have older couples for their anniversaries or families out for brunch, that… the level of volume from the cars or the motorbikes is brought down."
Tsu says the noise is particularly a concern for patio-goers during summer months.
Last year, city officials deployed acoustic monitoring devices on 17th Avenue, among other locations, to gauge the amount of excessive noise.
Johnson reminded Calgarians with performance vehicles to be mindful of others, especially now as people are out enjoying the weather.
"It doesn't mean we don't want you driving them. Absolutely, we want you to enjoy what you have. Just be respectful with it. Not everyone wants to hear that when they're out on a patio," he said.
"You don't need to do that excessive engine revving. You don't need to peel out, you know, in a crowded area or anything else like that that's just above and beyond what you need to do."
Residents can report noisy vehicles to 311.
