Relates to inspections of mufflers and exhaust systems

• Democratic4

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Andrew Gounardes says this is needed

Loud car exhausts are not only an annoyance and serve no purpose on passenger vehicles, but they also can contribute to hearing loss and potentially harm the environment. In densely packed urban areas, loud and poorly installed mufflers can affect one's sleep and are often found on illegally modified vehicles. Current law already requires that motor vehicles be equipped with adequate muffler or exhaust systems that are unmodified and do not emit excessive noise. The maximum allowable sound levels for vehicles depends on their weight and classification. For vehicles that weigh above 10,000 pounds, they must not exceed 86 decibels when traveling 35 miles per hour or less, while the limit for vehicles that weigh 10,000 pounds or less is set at 76 decibels when traveling 35 miles per hour or less. Additionally, the limit for motorcycles is currently set at 82 decibels when traveling at 35 miles per hour or less. These limits are aimed at helping reduce the damage caused by excessively loud car exhausts. However, enforcement of such requirements is difficult and sporadic. This bill would remedy this situation by adding a muffler check to a vehicle's annual inspection. Such check would ensure vehicles are equipped with adequate muffler or exhaust systems that have not been cut out or modified. This remedy has substantial precedent in the existing annual inspection regulations. Annual inspections are geared toward more than just safety features like brakes and seat belts; since 1990, NYS has required emis- sions inspections for cars and light trucks including an examination of up to seven different emissions control devices depending on the make and model. Muffler and exhaust checks are also already a part of annual inspections for motorcycles, medium-duty vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds, and heavy-duty vehicles weighing over 18,000 pounds. This bill extends these requirements to light-duty vehicles in recognition of the proliferation of illegally modified mufflers on passenger vehicles in recent years.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.