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82 dB Noise rules sound good for motorcycles
City council gives unanimous preliminary approval to regulations. Fines for exceeding decibel limits.
Thursday, October 19, 206 - By KURT BRESSWEIN - The Express-Times - nj.com/news/expresstimes




BETHLEHEM | New city noise regulations are slated to take effect in a month following initial approval Tuesday by city council.

Council unanimously gave preliminary approval to two laws aimed at helping police and district judges enforce limits on vehicle noise. Final approval is scheduled for Nov. 8, after which the law takes effect in 10 days.


The laws increase maximum penalties for noise violations in vehicles, homes or elsewhere from $300 to $500 or more plus 30 days in prison.

Councilwoman Jean Belinski raised concerns about a challenge to the regulations, particularly from motorcyclists. But she was relieved to hear council Solicitor Chris Spadoni's support for the measures.

"I'm very comfortable with it," Spadoni said of the laws standing up to court challenges.

Vehicle regulations would be based on state-defined noise limits. A police officer with a decibel meter could monitor traffic for violations and alert other officers to make traffic stops, city police Commissioner Randy Miller said.

Violations would start above 76 dB for a passenger vehicle, 82 dB for a motorcycle and 86 dB for commercial vehicles weighing 6,000 pounds or more. State law calls for measuring the noise from 50 feet away.

Miller told council at a meeting last week he does not anticipate using the new laws as a "revenue maker."

Woah...I can see the fine...but 30 days in prison?? Thats way out of line. Drug dealers and DUI drivers see less time than that.

Imagine putting a 40 year old father into jail for 30 days because his bike was too loud. What happens?

They lose 1 month of income, and if the mother doesnt work, they have no income at all for that month. He is subjected to humiliation and danger in a public jail filled with gang members and other criminals. He will have a criminal record, making future employment more difficult. 30 days in jail will probably cost him his job.

So because his pipes are loud his entire family's financial stability is potentially ruined. Makes perfect sense.

CNF2002 wrote:Woah...I can see the fine...but 30 days in prison?? Thats way out of line. Drug dealers and DUI drivers see less time than that.

Imagine putting a 40 year old father into jail for 30 days because his bike was too loud. What happens?

They lose 1 month of income, and if the mother doesnt work, they have no income at all for that month. He is subjected to humiliation and danger in a public jail filled with gang members and other criminals. He will have a criminal record, making future employment more difficult. 30 days in jail will probably cost him his job.

So because his pipes are loud his entire family's financial stability is potentially ruined. Makes perfect sense.

Those are max penalties.

whats this world coming to when putting people in jail for very loud pipes in the answer?
i know it's the Max penalty, but come on....fine them or do one of those fix a tickets, but jail time is just a waste of effort.
Is this all our politicians have to do?

Jail time is just stupid. If your windshield is busted in your cage, they just issue a ticket for you to fix it in 30 days or so. if you live there couldnt they just issue a fix/replace/return to stock order? No doubt noone in that city counsel rides.