FIRST OF ALL, PLEASE DO NOT DONATE TO CHANGE.ORG. THEY ARE A FOR-PROFIT COMPANY AND NOT A CHARITY. Money will not help our cause, but the amount of support will. BUT PLEASE DO NOT SPEND MONEY ON CHANGE.ORG TO PROMOTE THIS PETITION. Thank you!

Many vehicles in and around Atlanta have illegal modified exhaust systems that cause unnecessary noise that disturbs the public peace, not to mention the city's physical and mental health. I encourage you to skim through an article from the World Health Organization about the physical and psychological long-term consequences of repeated exposure to loud engines.

Please read part (c) of Georgia Code Title 40. Motor Vehicles and Traffic § 40-8-71, which states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale any muffler which causes excessive or unusual noise or annoying smoke or any muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device for use on a motor vehicle or for any person to use, to sell, or to offer for sale any motor vehicle equipped with any such muffler, muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device. Any person violating this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

Clearly, police officers' main job is to keep the city safe from impending danger, so vehicular noise is usually a low priority. We are very grateful for the police force and all they do, but we would appreciate it if, whenever possible, they take the time to pull over drivers and motorcyclists with excessively loud exhaust systems. Though this is not an impending danger, this article describes the negative long-term health effects, such as hearing loss, depression, anxiety, heart disease, high blood pressure, and next-day sleep deprivation consequences such as motor accidents. 

For police officers, vehicle inspection officers, government departments, or private citizens interested in noise abatement, learn more about modified exhaust systems at https://motorcyclenoise.net/ and access a free downloadable Guide to Modified Exhaust Systems reference book to identify those who possess illegal equipment. If you own illegal equipment, or if you are unsure if your equipment is illegal, please also consult the Guide to Modified Exhaust Systems manual. Then dispose of your illegal equipment or vehicle altogether at a scrap metal recycling center near you. Note that this is not the regular recycling center run by the city of Atlanta. According to Yelp, here are the 10 best places that may even pay you for your metal scraps. 

Thank you, citizens, for considering this petition and taking action to inform the Atlanta police of this issue. I encourage you to take just a minute to send a quick email to the Chief of the Atlanta Police Department, with a message thanking them for their hard work and encouraging them to enforce this important yet overlooked motor vehicle law. The more people express concern for this issue, the more we can protect the health of ourselves, our children, the elderly, and, not to mention, the homeless. Remember to thank all police officers and law enforcement workers who risk their lives daily to keep Atlanta as safe as possible. Thank you.