Falmouth police seek to crack down on noisy drivers

OFF THE WIRE MASSACHUCETTS
By AARON GOUVEIA agouveia@capecodonline.com April 03, 2010 12:00 AM Most Viewed Stories Motorist struck and killed on I-195The Nest diner is sold; will reopen May 1'Casting issues' delay filming of movieMan rescued from NB apartment after oven fireDeath noticesJames H. Casey IIIAntonio Teixeira FALMOUTH — Noisy drivers in Falmouth could soon be hit with big, honking fines.
Article 25 of Monday's Town Meeting is sponsored by Falmouth Police Chief Anthony Riello to crack down on motor vehicles with defective and modified exhaust systems, people who honk their horns in a "harsh, objectionable or unreasonable" manner and cars blaring bass at levels that are deemed a nuisance to the public.
Although the noise abatement bylaw is largely a rehashing of state laws already on the books, the main difference is that the fine for a first-time offender jumps from $50 to $75.
"This is important because it makes a statement that Falmouth is taking this seriously and we want to be able to say our fines are very steep," Riello said.
Problems began several years ago when a group of Falmouth Heights residents formed the Quiet Roads Association after growing frustrated with the noise from passing motorcycles.
Some riders and drivers purchase illegal after-market alterations for their exhaust systems. Riello said those vehicles create a loud roar when they rev their engines in residential neighborhoods.
Adrian Dufresne, who has lived in Falmouth Heights for 53 years, said excessive noise in the scenic neighborhood represents a quality-of-life problem not only for residents but also for tourists who pay about $200 a night for nearby hotel rooms.
Although Dufresne rides a motorcycle, he believes passing the bylaw would be a positive step for the town.
"As long as (Riello) has tweaked the law and it is applicable and able to be enforced, I think it's a good thing," Dufresne said. "I think word will get out the first couple of times large groups come riding through."
In 2008, Falmouth police issued 63 citations for noisy vehicles. Last year, that number dropped to 14, Riello said.
Although Riello said he was partners with the Massachusetts Motorcycle Association on this initiative, Rick Gleason, legislative director for the association, said he was not aware of the bylaw proposal.
Gleason said he has met with Riello several times during the past year to discuss the noise complaints. He said the main problem with the bylaw proposal is that all fines are unscientific and are at the discretion of police officers.
"The words 'harsh' and 'objectionable' can be taken many different ways by many different people," Gleason said.
He said police should use sound meters to measure decibels. That would provide defined standards for what noise is legally acceptable.
The motorcycle association has purchased six meters for $200 each.
Gleason has offered to take the technology to Falmouth for a day so riders can come in, have their bikes tested and determine once and for all whether they are riding legally.
Motorcycles driven on a public street that has a speed limit of 45 mph or less cannot exceed 82 decibels, according to state law. In zones more than 45 mph, the limit rises to a maximum of 86 decibels. That is a little less than the decibel level of a lawnmower, according to the National Institutes of Health.
"The reason for a sound clinic is so we can test our own motorcycles and tell our riders what is legal and what isn't," Gleason said. "We're looking for clearer standards, and those are already on the books."

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