Red Deer RCMP and Community Peace Officers (CPO) are tackling excessive vehicle noise with help from new decibel (dBA) readers and the updated Community Standards Bylaw.
Approved in May 2022, the Community Standards Bylaw was amended to address excessive vehicle noise by setting acceptable decibel (dBA) levels for a vehicle while at idle, and while at speed greater than idling, 92 dBA and 96 dBA respectively. These limits were determined by reviewing medical literature as to safe noise exposure levels, as well as other municipalities’ bylaws.
“Throughout the warmer months, we receive hundreds of complaints from citizens related to excessive vehicle noise. The Community Standards Bylaw allows our traffic enforcement teams to objectively identify and ticket excessive noise,” says Municipal Policing Services Superintendent Peter Puszka.
Members of the Red Deer RCMP’s Traffic Unit and CPO’s recently completed the required training to operate the decibel meter equipment. On August 10 between 6 and 10 p.m., CPOs patrolled a noise complaint hotspot along 30 Avenue, resulting in eight charges under Section 5.1 of the Community Standards Bylaw for being over the decibel limit. One individual ticketed was recorded emitting 117 dBAs, which is similar to the noise emitted at a rock concert.
“Noise at that level is not just annoying, but detrimental to one’s health,” says Puszka. “Red Deerians should be able to enjoy both public and private spaces without being bombarded by excessive vehicle noise, and our enforcement efforts are a response to the concerns raised by our community.”
Noise enforcement efforts will continue throughout the summer and into fall. Under The City’s Community Standard Bylaw, tickets for excessive noise start at $250 for a first offence, and increase to $500 for the second, and $1,000 for a third offence. Noise complaints can be reported to the Red Deer police non-emergency line at 403-343-5575. If possible, include the licence plate when reporting a vehicle.
For more information, contact:
Corporate Communications
The City of Red Deer