VIRGINIA RESIDENTS' HEALTH AND WELL-BEING MUST BE A PRIORITY FOR OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS.

Noise pollution from loud cars has significantly increased over the last few years. Having lived in Virginia for 40 years, traffic noise is at unprecedented levels; the highest I've experienced. It seems more and more car owners are modifying their cars (modified mufflers, jake brakes) to be very loud and it is increasing nationally, including in Virginia. My sleep and waking hours are constantly affected and my health is suffering. I cannot even enjoy my own back yard or keep my windows open. I am in a constant state of stress.  And I know I'm not alone! 

The medical field has confirmed noise pollution's ill effects on our health by being a stressor. Harvard Medicine states, "The European Environmental Agency reports that noise ranks second only to air pollution as the environmental exposure most harmful to public health." Exposure to noise can cause hearing loss, exacerbate stress and disrupt sleep, experts say. According to the CDC, "Continual exposure to noise can cause stress, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, heart disease, and many other health problems. Some people are at higher risk for hearing loss, including those who are exposed to loud sounds at home and in the community." 

• The National Institutes of Health has found evidence that traffic noise exposure is linked to cardiovascular diseases such as arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Noise is a nonspecific stressor that activates the autonomous nervous system and endocrine signaling. Additionally, it has also found traffic noise to adversely impact mental health.
• The Journal of the American College of Cardiology  states that noise disturbances from cars, like exhaust, could pose serious health risks for people.  

Other states are ahead of Virginia in requiring car owners to comply with noise ordinance laws in order to help provide a healthy living environment for their residents. For example, CA law specifies the decibel level at which stock or modified exhaust systems are deemed too loud 995 decibels). Scheduled to go into effect on January 1st, 2023, the state of California has approved a five-year automated enforcement pilot program to ramp up enforcement (Senate Bill 1079). A ‘sound-activated enforcement system’ means sensors are activated when noise levels exceed legal limits, and smart cameras are used ‘to obtain a clear photograph of a vehicle license plate.' 

And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, signed the Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution Act into law in 2021. The SLEEP Act raises fines from $150 to $1,000 for any illegal modifications of mufflers and exhaust systems that allow cars and motorcycles to become noisier. The law applies to not only vehicle owners who seek the modifications, but the repair shops that make them or sell relevant parts. The shops can stand to lose their operating license or certificate to inspect vehicles if they’re caught three times within 18 months. Traffic cameras outfitted with specialized microphones that read decibel levels (aka “Sound Cameras”) will be able to detect if a vehicle’s muffler is not in accordance with Section 386 of the city’s Vehicle and Traffic Law.

It is imperative that our elected officials make enforcement a priority. There are multiple avenues in which this can be done:

• Noise levels be tested during the annual state vehicle inspection.
• Fines be significantly increased.
• Violators be forced to return their after market modifications to OEM.
• Enact similar cameras system as CA, or NY.

Sign the petition to raise this issue to the attention of our local and state representatives' and require that they start taking action now. Demand this issue get presented to the Board.