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Area cops have been cracking down on drag racers. If Gov. Cuomo signs a new bill into law, they’ll be able to increase enforcement against motorists and repair shops that illegally modify mufflers and exhaust systems on motor vehicles and motorcycles.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The message from Albany this month has been loud and clear: Tinker with your motor vehicle or motorcycle to make it noisier and pay the price.
Legislation to increase enforcement against motorists and repair shops that illegally modify mufflers and exhaust systems on motor vehicles and motorcycles to make them excessively loud is headed for Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s desk after recently passing both the State Senate and Assembly, one of the bill’s co-sponsors, Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) announced Monday.
An increasing number of car and motorcycle enthusiasts are making modifications to the muffler, engine and exhaust systems of vehicles, in order to increase the noise levels emitted by the vehicles.
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2: “Loud and excessive motor vehicle noise is not only annoying, it has become a quality of life issue which can contribute to impaired health conditions, such as hearing loss to exposed individuals of all ages,” Sen. Addabbo said.
Current law allows for a maximum of a $150 fine for after-market violations to muffler and exhaust systems. This fee is a relatively small amount when compared to other states, which is apparently not enough of a deterrent to many who are spending far more money to make modifications to their vehicles, Addabbo said.
The new bill would increase the maximum fine to $1,000 to create a larger deterrent to this behavior, the senator added.
“Many constituent complaints received by my offices from a number of communities, including Middle Village, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Woodhaven and Ozone Park, pertain to noise and illegal street drag racing,” Addabbo said. “Loud and excessive motor vehicle noise is not only annoying, it has become a quality of life issue which can contribute to impaired health conditions, such as hearing loss to exposed individuals of all ages.”
