The sound police are coming for ya
Look at that picture. What we’ve got here is not just another traffic camera, but a fully deputized decibel detective. Meet the sound police.
These new noise cameras are the cousins of speed and red-light cameras, but instead of catching you with a heavy foot, they’re busting you for a heavy exhaust.
No radar guns here, just sensitive microphones measuring every decibel you dish out. Too loud? Ticket’s on the way, courtesy of the volume vigilante.
🔊 Silence of the lambos
Each setup has super-sensitive microphones paired with a camera. If your car’s exhaust note tips over the legal decibel limit (often in the low 80s), the mic triggers the camera. It snaps your license plate faster than you can say “downshift,” and a ticket is on its way.
No police officer, no flashing lights, only stealthy surveillance keeping score 24/7. A story in The Wall Street Journal (paywall link) highlighted Newport, Rhode Island, where two of these were placed along scenic Ocean Avenue.
Within days, a Mustang GT got nailed for hitting 85 decibels, only two over the limit, and was slapped with a $250 fine. New York City’s had them since 2021. Get caught repeatedly, and you could be out nearly $2,500. Ouch.
🏎️ Too loud and furious
If you’re a neighbor who’s sick of the late-night “look at me” exhaust revs, you’re probably cheering. Imagine sitting on your porch and hearing the ocean instead of a rolling car meet.
Some of these tickets hit totally stock, street-legal cars.
And here’s where I gulp: When I’m in my Porsche and flip into manual mode, rowing through the gears with that beautiful exhaust note singing … let’s just say I’d better be ready for my close-up (and maybe my checkbook).
🚔 Roar and peace
The folks behind the cameras say it’s not about targeting enthusiasts, it’s about protecting everyone’s right to a little peace. I get that. But it’s also another layer of surveillance, one more tech tool that’s listening and watching all the time.
Cities from Philadelphia to Honolulu are testing them. The combination of mics, cameras and AI is only getting better at catching every bark, burble and backfire.
So whether you’re on Team Quiet Streets or Team Let-It-Rip, noise cameras are here and they’re ready to write you up for every decibel over the line.
🏁 Have a friend who needs to know this intel before they get a ticket? Use the share icons below, and you’ll be their unsung hero!
Tags: cameras, icons, setup, Surveillance, tech
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