Latest news with #noisyvehicles
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Turn down the vroom: Councillor's motion targets noisy vehicles in Edmonton
If you live near it, chances are you've heard the Groat Road Grand Prix. In the early hours of the morning, you'll hear screaming engines and snarling motorbikes as they fly through the S turns on Groat Road as if they were the famous Maggotts and Becketts turns at Silverstone. Or, if you're in Cloverdale, you've heard vehicles roaring up the hill on 98 Avenue as if Oscar Piastri was flooring his papaya-orange McLaren up the famous Eau Rouge incline at Spa-Francorchamps. At the end of Tuesday's urban planning committee, Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz gave notice that he wants council to consider a motion that would allocate $50,000 to address the noisy vehicle issue in Edmonton. And the reasoning is two-fold — because noisy vehicles are often those going well above the speed limit. Janz wants to see the Edmonton Police Service acquire a SoundVue detector. Manufactured by England-based Intelligent Instruments, the technology can pinpoint the amount of noise coming from a vehicle, as well as all of the identifying information. They are being used in New York, Honolulu, Sydney and London, England. This isn't the first time Janz has railed against vehicle noise in council chambers. But he said the technology has come so far, so fast, that the police now have a reliable tool to use. 'What this does is give the police the power to have an educational opportunity, to have a teachable moment, to be able to tell someone, 'Look, you can't do this, you need to change your ways,'' said Janz. 'And then, in the future, there's some other infraction that they get dinged for, it shows on their record that they have warnings.' Janz spoke of 'warnings' and 'teachable moments' because the current provincial government has curbed the use of photo radar and has warned against instituting any new technology on the roads that would lead to tickets. 'I understand that the minister doesn't want the fines, but there's a lot we can do in terms of collecting information, collecting research,' said Janz. Janz said that learning where noise hotspots are would help police employ traffic cops in the right places at the right times. Since the province curtailed the municipalities' power to use photo radar, traffic fatalities have spiked. As of the end of July, Edmonton had recorded 21 fatal accidents in 2025. And the province announced this week it is launching a new anti-speeding campaign. 'We know that noise is directly linked with street racing, dangerous driving and many of these other antisocial behaviours that are dangerous,' said Janz, adding he witnessed motorbikes drag-race each other on Whyte Avenue the previous evening. 'And, as we've seen, this is one of the most deadly years on record in Alberta, and anything we can do as a municipality would be a huge help to improve safety and quality of life on the roadways.' Because the intent of the motion is to use the equipment for research, Janz doesn't feel like the city would be stepping on the province's toes. 'Quality-of-life impact' Janz has a supporter in mayoral candidate and Ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack. He said he doesn't just receive a lot of vehicle-noise complaints, but hears the roaring engines firsthand. 'I've been hearing about noisy vehicles along Groat Road and 107 Avenue for years now,' said Knack. 'It's a real quality-of-life impact for people. You've got a young family and your kids are trying to sleep and at one in the morning during the summer, or even fall or spring, and vehicles are flying by. I can hear them from where I live, in the Meadowlark area. I can't even imagine what it feels like for the folks who are right up against it.' Knack said he'd like to see Edmonton police have its own dedicated traffic safety enforcement team, which would focus on school zones and high-collision spots during the day, and on noisy vehicles in the evening. 'We're seeing more unsafe driving behaviour,' said Knack. 'We clearly need to take a more active role. And, frustratingly, we all knew this was coming.' And, as for the reduction of photo radar? 'Well, I hope the minister is seeing that the real impacts of his decision to remove a tool has now made our streets rather less safe. 'When municipalities are asking for these tools to allow them to create safer streets, we should be willing to trust the local representatives who have been democratically elected to make those decisions on behalf of the people they serve.' Edmonton police, Alberta Transportation, and local peace officers team up on Project TENSOR, which targets noisy vehicles, speeders and other traffic violations. The Checkstops began in May and the first instalment led to seven noise-related infractions that were cited, and three more warnings. But Janz said that word gets out fast, and many people know to avoid the checks. And, both Apple and Google Maps will warn drivers where there are traffic-enforcement measures. And, while police do take noise complaints from the public, they need details. If you're shaken out of bed by a revving engine, chances are you don't have a chance to get to your window, note the licence plate, make, model and colour of the vehicle. The machine would do that work, instead. ssandor@ Related Residents demand action over vehicle noise in Edmonton neighbourhoods 'Noise and speeding': Edmonton police launch Project TENSOR traffic crackdown Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don't miss the news you need to know — add and to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. 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Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
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.
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Authorities to crack down on noisy vehicles in Calgary
The City of Calgary says its peace officers are ready to enforce the rules about noisy vehicles this summer. (Pexels/Rahul Soni) City officials say efforts will be underway this summer to enforce Calgary's bylaws related to noisy vehicles. In a news release, the City of Calgary is reminding drivers to do all they can to follow the rules and that peace officers are equipped with advanced tools to enforce them. In 2024, council approved changes to Calgary's traffic bylaw to make it easier for peace officers to hand out violations. The city says noisy vehicles aren't just annoying – they can impact public health. 'Loud vehicles affect everyone,' said Insp. Brad Johnson, traffic safety team head. 'This is about shared responsibility. We all contribute to safer, quieter streets through respectful driving and awareness of how our actions affect our neighbours.' Vehicle noise can be a result of: noisy exhausts or mufflers; excessive engine revving; squealing tires; roaring or explosive sounds; loud stereos; amplification equipment; and recurring or prolonged vehicle alarms. The city says modifying a vehicle in any way to increase noise, such as aftermarket mufflers or altering exhaust systems, is in violation of the bylaw. Noise bylaw enforcement Peace officers have access to calibrated decibel meters, noise sensors and body-worn cameras to detect and document all violations. That enforcement is focused on high traffic areas identified by the city, officials said. The fines include $270 for operating a vehicle over the legal noise limit or $300 for failing to comply during a noise level test. The city is encouraging residents to follow the rules by making sure vehicles are in good working order, reducing volume on stereos, avoiding excessive engine revving or using after-market parts. Officials say everyone should also drive with consideration and respect your neighbours. 'We all have a part to play,' said Johnson. 'A city with less noise pollution is more welcoming, more livable and better for everyone.'
