When it comes to noise on the roads, we know that there isn't ever going to be silence - especially if you live near a busy road. Whilst cars themselves make noise, the sound of them travelling on the tarmac also makes noise.

However, there are some noises that can be avoided altogether, such as reducing the volume on the radio, not revving unnecessarily and not illegally modifying car engines.

Unfortunately for some drivers in the UK, there has been a trial on noise cameras that are used to detect sound that exceeds a certain limit - so what does this trial mean for us? The experts at Swansway have been finding out more.

What is a noise camera?

A noise camera is a device that measures the decibels your car emits as you drive past them. They are also known as acoustic cameras. The cameras are equipped with microphones and are triggered when a vehicle exceeds the legal 72 decibel (dB) limit.

This can be used to detect both unnecessary revving, loud exhausts and loud music, so if you're one to let your hair down in the car and sing along to your tunes karaoke-style, you may now have to do so at a lower volume.

They are being used to monitor the noise from not only cars, but motorbikes as well.

How does it work?

Similar to speed cameras, noise cameras use microphones to detect a high level of noise and an ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) camera to capture the number plate of the offending vehicle.

If your car exceeds the legal limit for noise, the camera and microphones are activated and an image of your number plate and recording of the noise will be sent to the police. They will then decide whether or not the culprit will receive a fine.

The camera is designed to differentiate between loud noise of an exhaust with that of horn by analysing the sound patterns. This means you needn't worry about being penalised should you need to use the horn or for other unexpected, short-lived loud noises.

Why are they being installed?

Everyone knows that roads can be noisy, especially multi-laned motorways or busy A-roads. However, some vehicles have been illegally modified to produce a level of noise that exceeds the 72 dB limit and it's to crack down on the so-called 'boy racers' who dangerously use the roads as a race course.

According to a survey completed by the RAC, 58% of drivers in the survey favoured the use of noise cameras to monitor the level of noise coming from the roads.

Road noise is renowned for being the contributing factor to a range of health issues, such as heart disease, strokes, diabetes and cognitive impairment in children. MOT services are not required to test the exhaust noise levels of any vehicle using a decibel meter.

In a report conducted by the government, they estimate that the social cost of road noise could be up to as much as £10 billion, due to lost productivity from sleep loss and health issues. The reduction in noise pollution can help to improve the overall wellbeing of the general population.

Where are they being installed?

The cameras completed a very successful trial in Bradford, Great Yarmouth, Birmingham and South Gloucestershire. The Department for Transport set aside an eye-watering £300,000 for the cameras to be installed and monitored and the trial took place from 18th October 2022 until 1st February 2023. 

Most people in the survey concluded that the roads are too noisy and something should be done to curb the disturbance. The cameras would remove the need for people to spend time writing several complaints to the local authorities, as the cameras will do all of the work for you. It is illegal to modify exhausts to produce loud noise in the UK, but it hasn't stopped some car drivers from modifying them. 

What is the fine for exceeding the noise limit?

The current legal limit for noise is 72 dB - any cars manufactured after 2016 must follow these rules. As of 2026, the legal limit is expected to decrease to 68 dB to further improve noise pollution. This rule is followed all across Europe. Before 2016, the decibel limit was 82, which was introduced in 1987.

The current fine for emitting too much noise is £50. Whilst some agree that this is adequate, others believe it is too lenient and should be increased to £200 and a driving ban until the exhaust has been altered to comply with legal noise levels. 

After the successful trials at four locations, an independent report submitted to the Department for Transport recommended progressing to live enforcement trials, but nothing has been confirmed yet. With stricter rules applying to the UK roads, it won't be long before these cameras could be rolled out across the nation.

There are some things you can do to limit the amount of noise you make on the road, like lowering the volume of your music or not over-revving but noise cameras may be the future of quieter roads. Watch this space.

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