Government trialling new ‘Noise Camera’ to detect rowdy drivers across the UK

The Department for Transport has revealed that new technology is being trialled across parts of the UK that can detect anti-social drivers. The Transport Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan,has confirmed that the trial will run across four locations to tackle noise pollution on some of Britain’s loudest streets.

The Government website states that the new technology uses a video camera in conjunction with a number of microphones to accurately pinpoint excessively noisy vehicles as they pass by. This means that if a driver breaks the law by revving their engine unnecessarily they will be detected. It’s said that the camera will take a picture of the vehicle and record the noise level, creating a digital package of evidence for local authorities to use when finding drivers.

Road noise is a serious problem that can cause many personal and societal issues. It is known to contribute to health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and dementia, and the annual social cost of urban road noise, including lost productivity from sleep disturbance and health costs is estimated to be up to £10 billion.

Noise Abatement Society chief executive Gloria Elliott OBE said: “Excessively noisy vehicles and anti-social driving causes disturbance, stress, anxiety and pain to many. It is unsafe and disrupts the environment and people’s peaceful enjoyment of their homes and public places.

Communities across the UK are increasingly suffering from this entirely avoidable blight.

“The Noise Abatement Society applauds rigorous, effective, evidence-based solutions to address this issue and protect the public.”