Hundreds of Isle of Wight residents have backed calls for tougher action against excessively noisy and illegally modified vehicle exhausts.
A total of 686 Islanders responded to a survey launched by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, accounting for 15.6% of the 4,400 responses received across the 2 counties.
Almost half – 48.4% – of Isle of Wight respondents said they are affected by excessive vehicle noise on a daily basis.
Meanwhile, 63.1% of those responding from the Island said they want to see a legally enforceable roadside noise limit introduced.
The survey was launched last month as the Police and Crime Commissioner called on the Government to introduce an objective roadside decibel limit and standardised noise-measuring equipment for police forces.
It is already illegal to modify an exhaust system to make a vehicle noisier than it was when type approved, but the PCC says the lack of a straightforward, enforceable roadside decibel limit makes enforcement difficult. Current MOT rules require testers to judge whether exhaust noise is unreasonably above that expected from a similar vehicle fitted with a standard silencer.
Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said:
“Over 4,400 people took part in my survey and what was clear is that excessive vehicle noise is not only viewed as an annoyance but an issue that affects wellbeing, road safety and quality of life in our communities.
Article continues below this advertisement “Nearly half of respondents told me they are impacted on a daily basis.
“Many detailed how it’s causing them anxiety and stress, impacting their sleep and their ability to work in and enjoy their homes.
“Concerns were also raised about how it’s often linked to dangerous driving. This is unacceptable.
“60% of respondents have now joined me in urging the Government to give police forces an objective and enforceable roadside decibel limit alongside standardised noise-measurement equipment.
“Ministers need to take note and take action.”
Respondents suggested a range of tougher enforcement measures, including failing illegally modified exhausts at MOTs, seizing vehicles from repeat offenders and introducing higher fines and penalty points.
The Commissioner is now writing to the Home Secretary and Department for Transport to call for action and highlight the impact excessive vehicle noise is having on communities.
All MPs across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have also been invited to sign the letter.
Donna Jones added:
“Having clear, consistent national guidance will not only help police and local authorities collect better evidence, but it will also act as a strong deterrent.
“Drivers and riders need to understand the rules and consequences. That comes from education and proper enforcement.
“I want officers freed up from paperwork and red tape and back on the front line.”
Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit already uses a range of tactics to tackle speeding, anti-social driving and late-night car meets, including Operation Chromium.
The island is full of Numpties driving around with noisy exhausts
and number plates in their front windows
HENCE THE NEED FOR MORE TRAFFIC POLICE TO CATCH THESE
LAWLESS NUMPTIES
Also parking on Zig Zags is another island trait!
The pop bang maps are one of the worst things that need banning. The chavs in their awful Fiestas
Park near The Yarbridge Inn
Noisy exhaust paradise NOT!
The tosser in Grey Ford Focus driving around Ventnor most evenings ( BV07 P••) causing it to backfire constantly, making children jump & frightening animals needs pulling over & speaking to. The little man (in every way!!) needs a loud exhaust on his car to make him feel big.
Diddums little pee wee.
”They” the noisy motorbike brigade, put the correct exhaust back on for The MOT. So they are not going to fail.
Long due, sick and tired of the pop and bang cretins round Ryde, we have 1 motorbike idiot riding his very noisy heap up and down the Esplanade from early evening until the early hours of the morning.
I have a relative in the insurance business who assured me that if an owner modifies their vehicle exhaust in any way without informing the insurance company they can have their insurance cover withdrawn.
Quite correct. And that applies to cars that have had their ECU modified to do the pop/bangs.They probably haven’t told their ins.co. so their insurance will be invalid. I’m surprised the police don’t use their powers to check up the facts with a stopped driver’s insurance co. If the driver hasn’t notified their ins. co., the car gets lifted and a fine for ‘no insurance’….
The island needs more traffic police to catch these
lawless numpties.
I totally agree that a crackdown on noisy exhausts is needed , but there are many other traffic related issues just as important and need dealing with :
Illegal number plates, distorted fonts, illegal size and letter spacing, camera defeating coatings and those plates with added illegal logos.- hefty fines and if personal reg numbers – cancel them.
Lethal high speed cyclists and electric cyclists using pavements and endangering pedestrians – hefty fine – and if electric cycles are not within the legal speed limit- crush them.
Illegal private electric scooters used in public places – crush them & hefty fine – and if children fine the parents heavily
Illegal use of the Council approved rental scooters on pavements, two up, and often ridden by very young non driving licence holders – the council should either insist on the company taking much better enforcement action or cancel the contract.
Electric scooters and bikes are definitely being used by drug dealers too.
Drunk and drug drivers also see to be on the increase.
The public need to help the Police by reporting these issues.
Road safety and traffic rules on the island are a joke.
Vehicles park on zig zags, fully on pedestrian pavements,
double yellow lines.
Etc etc
Speeding is rife
Drink and drug driving is rife
Vehicles with incorrectly spaced number plates is rife.
Vehicles with number plates in front windscreens
TOTALLY SHOCKING
The island lacks authority.
But apart from that !
There’s a guy opposite me near the premier stores in Ventnor and every single night he goes out for a drive in his cock extension that sounds like a jet engine. Also bike and cars going up the Shanklin road are constantly being as loud as they can. The police would make a fortune sat there.
So many possible cash cows on the Island, instead they
take the easy option and increase council tax.
Employ more plod, could make thousands of pounds a
day with all the law breakers on the island.
Keeping on topic (Keith Lard), these loud exhausts need to be stamped out and made a thing of the past!
I hope something is done soon. The Esplanade and up and down Dover Street all day and especially at night. Why don’t the police park up and catch them?
Good, they are a certain gormless breed that’s for sure, may as well have the chav sign cap pointing up with nothing between the ears, about time let’s hope they enforce it, there are too many on the Island racing as well at night.
You can spot a Numpty a mile off just by the vehicle
they are driving.
Most of these tossers only have a skull to keep their ears apart, inside is a dark echoing void.