A pair of Recent South Wales councils will soon receive recent noise detection cameras in a bid to crack down on loud cars and hooning.
As a part of the trial, on account of begin before the tip of 2024 and run until late 2025, noise cameras will roll out within the local government areas of Bayside (surrounding Botany Bay) and Wollongong to find out their effectiveness on reducing anti-social driving.
In line with a NSW Government tender, the sphere trial of the noise camera system will happen “under controlled conditions” and is meant to guage whether the cameras “will be used to handle noisy vehicles and anti-social driving”.
The noise camera program is a joint effort between the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), Transport for NSW, and NSW Police. Images of the cameras have yet to be released by the State Government.
100s of latest automotive deals can be found through CarExpert immediately. Get the experts in your side and rating an important deal. Browse now.
ABC News reports the cameras utilise noise meters to detect sounds above a set decibel limit inside a distance of around 15 metres. If a loud automotive is detected, cameras are then used to scan licence plates.
Under current Australian Design Rules (ADR), cars built before 2005 are subject to a noise limit of 90 decibels. For cars built before January 1983, the limit is 96 decibels.
There are limits for motorcycles too, as models built after March 1, 1984 are subject to a 94-decibel limit. The limit for older motorcycles is 100 decibels.
In NSW, motorists face fines of as much as $600 if their vehicle is found to be 15 decibels or more above the limit – though a noise reading should be done while the vehicle is stationary.
ABC News reports it’s unclear if laws might be modified to permit using noise camera readings on moving vehicles when enforcing fines, or if warnings might be issued under the trial as an alternative.
-
Cell phone detection camera
While the EPA says, “the cameras might be installed within the Bayside and Wollongong council areas, at locations agreed with each council”, the situation of noise cameras could move “from time-to-time”.
Crowdsourced data collected by Bayside Council reportedly reveals hooning hotspots of Bay Street, Brighton Le Sands; Clareville Avenue, Sandringham; and Russell Avenue, Dolls Point.
Noise cameras are currently in use overseas in heavily populated cities similar to Recent York City and London.
Recent York trialled one camera in 2021 and has since expanded the network to seven, likely contributing to the wonderful a Lamborghini owner received in town last month.
Offenders in Recent York are fined US$800 (A$1158) for the primary offence, followed by US$1700 (A$2460) and US$2700 (A$3906) for subsequent offences.
The cameras were trialled in a single London borough in 2020. During a three-month period, they reportedly contributed to 69 warnings and 163 fines and were followed by more cameras in the world.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
