Edmonton plans to clamp down on noisy vehicles with $1,000 fine
CBC
The City of Edmonton is taking a shot at deterring motorists from making excessive vehicle noise with a possible $1,000 fine for infractions in its traffic bylaw.
City council is expected to vote on the proposed bylaw amendment at a meeting Wednesday.
The change would make it an offence for drivers of all types of vehicles to create excessive noise, and the fine would double for a subsequent infraction.
Currently, the city's Community Standards Bylaw makes noise an offence only for motorcyclists whose machine exceeds 92 decibels.
Right now, bylaw officers can give out fines to car and truck drivers under the provincial Traffic Safety Act.
Current fines in the municipal bylaw and provincial legislation range from $162 to $250.
Commercial aircraft on takeoff produce noise levels above 120 decibels. A telephone ring produces about 80 decibels and a jackhammer about 100. Highway traffic noise ranges from 70 to 80 decibels at a distance of 15 metres from the highway.
Anne Stevenson, councillor for the downtown Ward O-day'min, lives near the High Level Bridge where she hears the constant roar of vehicles in the warmer seasons.
"It's incredibly disruptive," she said. "I think Edmontonians have said very loud and clear that this is an issue, it's an area of concern."
Complaints come in from across the city through the 311 line, emails and the city's website, she said in an interview Monday.
The bylaw amendment would focus on people making unnecessary and intentional vehicle noise, usually by altering their vehicles or modifying their mufflers.
"I think the severity of the fine reflects the really significant impact that has on their neighbours," Stevenson said. "So anyone that is operating their vehicle as it was designed to be operated has no reason to fear."
The city said that in 2021 — in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic — it received 1,028 complaints.
Evangeline Rand, who lives downtown, thinks $1,000 isn't enough.
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