A proposed Michigan law would increase penalties for using a vehicle intentionally modified to be excessively noisy.
Michigan State Rep. Natalie Price (D-Berkley) introduced House Bill 5696 last week, which targets vehicles that create a bunch of noise while being used.
Price says the issue is particularly prevalent along Woodward Avenue. The bill ensures police officers have the authority to stop vehicles for excessive noise and increases penalties for related infractions.
“Day and night, Woodward is often used as a racetrack by drivers who have modified their vehicle’s exhaust systems with boosters that amplify their noise and often sound like gunshots. The effect is deafening noise and a seriously eroded quality of life for residents and businesses in the surrounding neighborhoods. We need to clamp down on this purposefully disruptive behavior with a targeted approach,” Price said.
The bill increases fines and penalties not only for those who alter a vehicle’s exhaust system to increase noise production but also drivers of those vehicles.
It will allow law enforcement to impound or tow vehicles of repeat offenders.
The bill provides grace for first time offenders, vehicles experiencing disrepair and those who can demonstrate compliance with the Motor Vehicle Act before their ticketed court date.
HB 5696 has been referred to the Committee on Transportation.
