Dear Washington State Legislators, 

We strongly urge you to take decisive action to combat the escalating and harmful problem of excessive vehicle noise in our communities by passing SB 5417 and HB 1423 to authorize automated vehicle noise enforcement cameras in racing enforcement zones. This trend is associated with illegal street racing, crime, and gun violence, creating an unsafe, unhealthy, and stressful environment for residents, tourists, and visitors.

When excessively noisy cars roar through our neighborhoods, they create undue stress on our communities. When it happens at night, it deprives us of restful and much-needed sleep. Sleep deprivation from modified car mufflers, many modified to backfire and sound like gunshots, creates significant stress and negative health effects on everyone, from newborns and pets, to working professionals and parents, to retired veterans with PTSD. 

Despite existing noise laws, enforcement is lacking due to current police shortages. Other cities successfully use noise enforcement cameras to curb excessive vehicle noise while still upholding citizen rights to privacy. Washington’s local police departments should be able to have tools like these at their disposal to deter this kind of behavior as well.

We stand with Seattle’s Mayor and City Council who sent a similar letter urging you to pass this legislation to help make our neighborhoods safer and healthier. 

Thank you for being responsive to this issue that is negatively impacting so many of your constituents around the state. 

Sincerely,

Washington Neighbors Against Noise Pollution