News

Over half of drivers want noise detecting cameras installed across the UK to stop ‘boy racers’

It's according to a new poll by The RAC.

Emily Sergeant - 17th August 2023

A new poll has revealed that more than half of drivers want noise detecting cameras installed across the UK in a bid to stop “boy racers”.

After a £300,000 trial of the specialist technology – which involves using a camera and several microphones to detect noisy vehicles – was introduced by the Department for Transport (DfT) in a small number of areas in England last year, a new survey by The RAC has now revealed that 58% of motorists would like to see these cameras rolled out right across the UK.

Only 22% of the 1,424 motorists polled were against the idea.

More than a third (34%) of drivers surveyed also said they heard revving engines or “excessively loud exhausts” regularly, according to The RAC.

The results from The RAC’s survey come after recent research has shown that road noise can contribute to a range of concerning health problems – including heart attacks, strokes, and dementia to name just a few.

But how exactly do the cameras work? And what would motorists need to watch out for should they be introduced on a wider scale? Well, to sum it up briefly, the technology works by the camera recording an image of the vehicle and detecting its noise level to create evidence that police can use to issue fines.

At the moment here in England, vehicle exhausts and silencers are required to be properly maintained by law, and not altered to increase noise.

Failure to comply with this law can lead to a £50 fine being issued on the spot.

The RAC says the results from its latest survey proves there is “a very strong desire” to clamp down on the “scourge of excessively noisy vehicles” that “disturb the peace” nationwide.

“It’s plain wrong that those who have fitted their cars with modified exhausts, some motorbike riders and supercar owners can currently just get away with making an unacceptable amount of noise,” explained The RAC’s Head of Policy, Simon Williams.

“Fortunately, the Department for Transport’s recent noise camera trials may provide the solution [and] we hope the findings are positive and that the technology can be quickly and cost-efficiently rolled out to the worst affected areas [as] there is no good reason why cars and motorbikes should make so much noise.

“The sooner effective camera enforcement can be put in place the better.”

Roads minister Richard Holden claimed “boy racers are an anti-social menace” as praised the specialist technology and welcomed the results from The RAC’s new poll – adding that the Government “extensively trialled” noise camera technology in various parts of the country over the past year.

Read more:

• Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Zone cameras are now being used for ‘detecting crime’
• Government scraps all new smart motorways over ‘lack of public confidence’
• Manchester named in the top 10 towns with the ‘noisiest neighbours’ in the UK

He said the DfT is “currently analysing data” from the trials and will update “in due course” on any future measures.

Mr Holden said the cameras will help “bring peace and tranquillity back to our towns, cities and villages”.

Featured Image – RAC