CANADA - County looks to crackdown on loud noises

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http://www.calgaryherald.com/County+looks+crackdown+loud+noises/4393035/story.ht

County looks to crackdown on loud noises
By Lea Storry, Calgary

The County of Rocky View wants to be known for its tranquil setting, not the loud noises caused by some motorcycles semis using retarder brakes within town limits.
BRAGG CREEK - Loud motorcycles could get a rough ride in Rocky View County if a proposed new noise bylaw is passed by council this spring.
Currently, provincial vehicle legislation covers ear-piercing traffic sounds in the County of Rocky View. However, a survey done in the fall with Bragg Creek residents, a county hamlet, showed support for a new noise bylaw.
"Everybody who took the survey wanted to have some controls in place," explained Ted McCauley, the county's manager of protective services. "The survey took place in Bragg Creek because it's the most visited location and a popular stopping spot."
Virginia Broadbent owns the Skin Gym, an environmentally friendly body and skin care product shop, in Bragg Creek and is also a homeowner in the community. She said while her business in the Bragg Creek Shopping Centre isn't affected by noise - her home is often hit by the roars and whines of traffic.
"Between the motorcycles revving along the highway and the semis, it's a problem," noted Broadbent, who's lived in the area for five years. "The semis use their engine (retarder) brakes even when they're not supposed to."
The summer is when the noise is most bothersome, added Broadbent. She said she didn't fill in a survey, but thought improvements to the noise bylaw was a good idea.
McCauley said the county already has a sound meter ready to gauge the decibels of motorcycle engines. This legislation would fine anything over 92 decibels at idle and 96 above idle. The fine would be $250 with the payment doubling for a second offence within a year.
"It is our intent to have similar legislation for all vehicles unfortunately, the only roadside meter we have now is specific to motorcycles," said McCauley. "There is movement on one for other vehicles."
McCauley said the proposed bylaw will go to a public committee to be reviewed next week. That committee could send it on to council or ask McCauley to do more work.
If the suggested noise bylaw does go to council, it'll take three readings before it hits the books.
McCauley noted it'll be a big change for the county, but one that'll be eased into.
"My desire is not write any tickets this summer," said McCauley. "We'll have promotional material and checkstops throughout Rocky View to get them (motorcyclists) to understand how the bylaw first works."