Tuesday, March 18, 2014

CANADA - IMPORTANT UPDATE regarding City of Saskatoon Noise Bylaw amendment.

OFF THE WIRE
IMPORTANT UPDATE regarding City of Saskatoon Noise Bylaw amendment.
The City Clerk's office confirmed that the proposed amendment requested by the Executive Committee on 10 March 2014 will be presented at the City Council meeting on this Monday, 17 March 2014.
If you want to send an email to council or make a presentation it can be done at this link: http://www.saskatoon.ca/CITY%20COUNCIL/Pages/WriteaLettertoCouncil.
There exist current provincial legislation in The Traffic Act to regulate driving without due care and attention, stunting, and any loud and unnecessary noise from a motor vehicle.
The current City of Saskatoon Noise Bylaw No. 8244 prohibits the use of engine brakes within city limits except in the case of an emergency (6(b)).
The requested amendment to the Noise Bylaw would make it an offence to operate any vehicle in such a manner as to disturb the public, and which would include, a specific provision setting decibel level limits for motorcycle noise.
There is existing legislation that covers this off. Per the City Solicitor's report: "Under the Noise Bylaw, an officer may charge a driver who has an overly loud exhaust or who driving in a particularly obnoxious manner with breaching The Noise Bylaw. An officer must observe the vehicle being driven in a manner which offends The Noise Bylaw and make a subjective evaluation of behaviour. Usually the Saskatoon Police Service use The Noise Bylaw for vehicle stereo noise rather than vehicle noise."
"Under The Traffic Safety Act and the Saskatchewan Equipment Regulations, an officer may charge a driver for making excessive noise, driving without due care and attention, stunting, operating a vehicle that is not equipped with an adequate muffler or operating a vehicle that does not effectively muffle the noise. Again, an officer must observe a vehicle being driven in contravention and make a subjective evaluation which evidence is used in Court to prove the charge. Usually the Saskatoon Police Service use these provisions to address vehicle noise."
NO FURTHER RULES ARE REQUIRED AND MOTORCYCLES SHOULD NOT BE SUBJECTED TO dBA TESTING. If Council wishes to use dBA as a quantitative measure for noise, it should be applied to ALL motor vehicles.
You MUST voice your opinions to Council no later than this Monday, 10:00 a.m. Please attend the council meeting and let your presence speak loud and clear.