Description

I have a general complaint regarding excessive and unusual noise coming from cars, trucks and motorcycles. I have lived and worked in Raleigh for the past 11 years and it has been my experience that noise disturbances from vehicles and motorcycles has become an increasing problem. I am often disturbed by loud after-market exhaust noises penetrating my home and disturbing me in my own private residence with no recourse or escape. I am also unable to enjoy the outdoors such as our wonderful greenway because of random loud and potentially damaging noises from vehicles, especially motorcycles. I have since stopped having lunch outdoors in my employer's picnic area because it is no longer enjoyable.

I have made specific complaints to the police in the past without satisfactory results. One big reason why results are difficult to achieve by calling the police is because it is almost impossible to predict when a noise violation from a car, truck or motorcycle will occur. Calling an officer who must witness the violation doesn't seem to be effective since the violator is mobile and usually has left the area by the time an officer arrives. Considering these two statements it is obvious that enforcement will not work retroactively for this type of mobile noise violation.

Please, I urge city officials and police officers to consider the difficulty in citing mobile noise violations in response to specific complaints and instead try to proactively enforce the city's noise ordinance as well as North Carolina's General Statue 20-128 citing "excessive or unusual noise" as documented in both the NC state law and the city ordinance as the violation.

Loud and repetitive nuisance noises have been associated with several physical and mental health issues. For example the US military has used loud noise as a weapon and is currently researching further uses for noise as a weapon. This alone should speak volumes about the potential impact of any type of loud noises, no pun intended. Hearing loss can occur at exposures of 85 decibels or more. Aside from the immediate health effects there are more subtle risk factors associated with exposure to loud noises repeatedly over time.

Noise has been associated with cardiovascular health problems, specifically hypertension. Noise levels of just 50 decibels might increase the risk of myocardial infraction by increasing cortisol production. Road noise from tires alone is enough to constrict arterial blood flow and leads to elevated blood pressure so one can imagine what kind of an effect an intentionally loud exhaust can cause.

Psychological impacts include annoyance, perturbation of psychiatric disorders and decreases ones feeling of psycho-social well-being, defining the source noise as an anti-social behavior. Exposure to intense levels of noise can cause personality changes and even violent reactions. Noise has been shown to be a factor attributed to violent reactions from normally law abiding citizens. Most importantly constant or repetitive exposure to loud noise can cause or make worse anxiety and depression which is one of the many leading problems our society faces today.

Please, I urge once again for city officials and police officers to consider putting more importance on stopping violators proactively when witnessed by an officer assuming they have enough time while performing their more critical duties throughout the city. Reducing this problem could have a very positive impact on the City of Raleigh and its citizens. There is potential to address a public health concern which could improve the quality of life and overall health of our citizens. This could save us money in healthcare costs and reduce strain on police over time as well.

For reference the state statue and city ordinances I refer to in my complaint are cited below.

North Carolina General Statutes § 20-128 Exhaust system and emissions control devices.
(a)        No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a muffler, or other exhaust system of the type installed at the time of manufacture, in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise, annoying smoke and smoke screens.

City Code Sec. 12-5007. - PROHIBITED NOISES.
(d) The use of any automobile, motorcycle or other vehicle so out of repair, so loaded or in such manner as to create loud or unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise.

(f) The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of any stationary internal combustion engine or motor vehicle, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises therefrom.