Noisy cars Australia’s biggest neighbourhood nuisance

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By Tim Beissmann | February 22nd, 2012

Noisy drivers are the biggest neighbourhood nuisances in Australia, with dangerous drivers running a close second.

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals 35 per cent of Australians aged 18 and over (extrapolated to 5.8 million) believe noisy driving is the greatest social disorder problem in their neighbourhood.

Another 34 per cent (approximately 5.7 million) say dangerous driving, including acts like tailgating, is also a problem in their local area.

This compares with just 7.6 per cent of respondents that feel drug dealing and drug use is an issue around their homes.

According to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA), engine noise from cars built after 1983 must not exceed 90 decibels (about the volume of a lawnmower), while older cars and motorcycles are not permitted to emit more than 100 decibels (similar to the volume of a jackhammer).

Last financial year, EPA NSW suspended 386 vehicle registrations for exceeding engine noise limits, while in Victoria, 6644 motor vehicle noise complaints were lodged in 2010-2011, a 48 per cent increase over the previous financial year.

Under national rules, after the EPA receives two complaints about a vehicle, the owner must take it to a testing station to get approval to continue driving it.

http://twitter.com/holotropik Holotropik

So wish that stealth was cool and not ‘noisy as all hell’…

I much more appreciate a car that is fast yet stealthy and doesn’t make a fuss about being able to perform.
Hillyb

The faster and more powerful cars are quiet..

Aurion for example, very powerful yet possibly one of the quietest car on the road..

BIGJ

But the HECTICS make their cars noisy on purpose.

What you do is get a screwdriver and poke a 3cm hole in your stock muffler on purpose. Then start your car and BAM you are noisy and HECTIC. OHMAHGOODNESS BROO
Andrew

Very powerful????? Compared to what, the Tata car from India???
Askob

Snakes are very quiet too!

Like Cameleon paint thats very quiet.

Guest

Yep. I have a neighbour with her automatic 200SX that has a f@rt muffler. Very annoying when she drives in a 4am.
JD

i wouldn’t mind the sound of an E63 AMG, but a VN commodore on the other hand …..

BIGJ

OMG, what isnt there to like about that powerful Buick 3800 ;P

vin

Not only cars. Motor bikes on country roads on the weekend, you can hear them coming from several kilometres away(and going). They tend to travel in groups, ten to fifty, All conversation or simply listening to the radio becomes impossible as the noise is deafening.
3D4

Who gives a shait about cars when we have much louder and much more annoying planes landing over our heads every day and night thanks to a fantastic position of the airport here in SYD..

Guest

I’m sure you knew you were living under a flight path before you decided to live there. Kingsford Smith has been around for a few years.

3D4

How can you be sure I knew?

Ima_Hogg

Because you would not of bought a house there because you would of known about the noise. Common sense?

3D4

What if I was relocated by company from overseas and the house was already paid for (it is a rented house)? I had no idea where the flight paths are..
Robj

Ha, jets been landing there since the 1960′s..
davie

Fair enough. You have successfully absolved your self of any personal responsibility for your life.

We will now close down Sydney’s only airport for your benefit.
G

WTF are you complaining about then, you get free accommodation.

chook

The next time im on a flight from kingsford smith and im enjoying the sound of those beautiful jet turbines from inside the aircraft then i will spare a special thought for your petty misery !!…………..move house mate and stop your carry on !!

JHP

those damn bogans…
gt86.com.au

A lot of the Ferrari’s sound like 2 stroke Lawn Mowers..And are stupidly loud.. I wonder if they gest tested for noise.

Andrew

Thankyou, totally agreed. I saw one in North Sydney last week and he gave it a boot and I got all excited until I heard it, very dissapointed….even a HSV would sound better.

I think Ferraris only sound good at high RPM

Daniel

Noise is good and bad. Wildlife hear my car earlier and generally get off the road without slamming on the brakes or swerving to avoid them. Its a shock when I’m walking my dog and a car comes up behind you and you can’t hear it. Good because of safety and bad for its annoying hearing noisy cars on the road.
Laurie

Might see more Noise Cameras around like the one going down Mt Ousley NSW
Birdlife

Ah the serenity….
PN

Being a mototcyle rider, I found it safer to have a loud muffer (to an extent of course) so car drivers can actually hear that I am riding near or next to them, rather than changing lanes without checking their blind spot. This normally happens at least once a week, and actually occured this morning whilst a guy was smoking a cigarette whilst driving (that should be illegal).

Mad Max

Some cars are loud, but the Harley Davidsons… We have one near us and he leaves at 4.30 every morning… Man is it LOUD!

PN

Hence why I mentioned to an extent. But, I do agree some Harleys and Cruisers (and occasional sports bikes) are way too loud

vin

It’s not only bike (motor and push) riders being cut off, people in all sorts of vehicles will change lanes without looking.

Guil

You are more unliked to be seing on a motorbike than in a car, moreover you have little chance to be killed in your car by another car changing lanes without looking.

Symo

The amount of time my little girls (under two) have been woken at night by loud commodores/hatchbacks on weekends was enough to make me plan to identify the cars, follow them home (not far form my house) and put 1kg of sugar in the tank with a friendly note.

Weatherbey

By the way, sugar apparently doesn’t dissolve in gasoline, you’d have the same effect as using sand and it might clog up the filter. Also apparently the best way is water. At least according to HowStuffWorks (google).

tsport100

That’s BS! There’s NO WAY cars are ranked #1 nuisance!

What is the EPA sound level for petrol powered garden tools??? Leaf blowers and chain saws are practically UNLIMITED! I doubt there is any noise limit on them. How about reverse beepers that can be heard from a kilometre away?? They’re actually designed to be as much of a nuisance as possible!

And I can’t believe cars was the #1 complaint when DOGS are the biggest urban nuisance! (But that’s got to be in the too-hard basket for the public servants who publish this rubbish as barking dogs is practically unregulateable)

MatthewM

I agree regarding 2-strokes tsport100!

When I worked nightshift (thankfully I no longer do) 2-stroke powered garden utensils were the absolute bane of my existence. They produce a noise that grates on my nerves and are incredibly loud, I wore earplugs, but somehow the noise 2-strokes were able to get through, albeit quieter than they otherwise would have.

Having said that, everyone is different, I have no problem with cars or dogs. Aircraft noise & 2-strokes annoy me the most.

Robj

Basically people are just inconsidrate now..
zej

Loud exhausts aren’t the problem. Even the biggest, wankiest dump-pipe isn’t as annoying as the “music” that comes out from the cabin.

That said, teenagers and their cars are a much softer and easier target than groups of Harley Davidsons.
horsie

Can someone from the RTA or Police explain to me how Harley’s can get away with having those ridiculously loud exhausts. I HATE Harley’s and the wankers who ride them.
And why the hell do they have to blip the throttle when ever they are sitting at traffic lights . we can all hear and see them as it is.

Roger

Bikie gang?

Peanut

Why do all use peoplez have issues wid ma Dato 120Y wid itz fully sic 5″ exhaust.
Andrew

How could a loud exhaust be THE biggest neighbourhood nuisance?

If so, it confirms Australians whinge more than the Brits, and about pointless, petty things.

We occasionally hear a loud exhaust on a lancer or whatever, but so what, I can guarantee that there will be more disturbing things taking place in the houses of your neighbourhood than a car with a loud exhaust, why don’t you all report those issues instead of complaining about a stupid exhaust. Most of the drivers are just young and their car is their pride and joy, as long as they drive safe, it doesn’t bother me.

Guest

I can’t wait till you’re sleep deprived from the numerous feeds and have a newborn child that cries because of someone’s pride and joy needs some cannon exhaust to feel fulsik bro drives past their bedroom. Newsflash, the world doesn’t revolve around you and your pride and joy.

Andrew

Guest, I have a company car with stock exhaust and a two year old who always sleeps well through the night, even when a car drives past with a loud exhaust. I don’t understand your point, are we comparing lifestyles?

I have been woken up by a loud exhaust, I roll over and go back to sleep, big deal!

The point i’m trying to make is, move on, so what, there are much worse things in life to be complaining about than a p plater with a loud exhaust. Don’t you also think it’s very sterotypical claim that everyone with a loud exhaust is a full sick bro??? My younger sister inlaw who just got her P Plates got a slightly louder exhaust, yet she is no hoon, doesn’t rev loud and drives responsibly….she is just young and enjoying life, she will grow out of it!

Chris

Andrew, Australians do whinge more than Brits
Guil

What a about the buses and trucks? They are way louder than most P platers with loud exhausts.
Dave S

My thoughts were the reverse. Sometimes I think some cars are too quiet. Quite a few times I ‘ve had to stop because I have not heard a car coming.

Nothing in the street is as load as the garbage collection.