Earlier this year, Paris and other French cities rolled out so-called “noise radar” devices, which automatically photograph any vehicle that violates the city’s noise level rules, with the aim of developing a punishment system that would see violators fined 135 euros . According to an article on The Guardian website, the device, which is still being used in an experimental capacity, is able to measure the noise level of moving vehicles and recognize their license plates. “I’m looking forward to hearing more about this because, you know, we hear all the time about how much noise there is in our neighborhoods, in our downtown from loud vehicles, motorcycles and other devices,” said Fredericton Coun. Bruce Grandy, chairman of the city’s mobility committee. “And I think it’s important to start looking at the ways of the present, and this is a very interesting technology to do that. Coun. Kevin Darrah also commented that the French technology was “interesting”, in a tweet linked to a news story about it. Interesting https://t.co/eY3HGIPpmY —@kevin_darrah Their comments come just over a year after Fredericton city council agreed to implement a noise bylaw that allows officers to ticket a driver $250 if their vehicle is louder than 96 decibels. However, to enforce it, an officer must use a decibel measuring device and be in the right place at the right time to get an accurate reading. That has led to some questions about how effective the regulation is without better methods to enforce it, Grandy said. “Let’s face it, we can’t have a police officer on every corner, every intersection or every neighborhood. You know, the idea is if an officer comes across on their patrols that they would see, you know they’re going to pull the person over. do a good talk with them… maybe they would actually give them a ticket and start enforcement on it. “Well, you know, it’s very limited. I think as we look at policing going down, technology is going to be a very important part of enforcement.” Fredericton Coun. Bruce Grandy says technology is the best way to enforce rules like the city’s noise ordinance. (Ed Hunter/CBC) It is unclear how much of an impact the noise regulation has had since it was implemented. Fredericton police could not provide statistics on the number of tickets issued to offenders. In May, Grandy raised the issue of excessively noisy vehicles in the city during a mobility committee meeting, adding that Police Chief Roger Brown had assured him that officers would conduct a noise enforcement crackdown last spring.
Provincial legislation is needed
Even before technology like the one used in France can be tested here, Grandy said the province would still have to finalize legislation to allow it. In May 2021, the provincial government introduced legislation that would allow cities to use red-light cameras, automatic license plate readers and speed camera monitors. Grandy said that without the legislation, the city cannot implement the technology it has wanted to use for years as a way to crack down on drivers who run red lights and break speed limits. “I think it took a long time to get this legislation done — I’d like to see it, you know, done a little bit faster. “I know… they have to research this and everything, but you know, I don’t think it’s a difficult type of legislation.” Judy Désalliers, spokeswoman for the Department of Justice and Public Safety, said the legislation was passed earlier this year, but implementation will not take place until agreements are reached between the province and local governments on the details. “Talks are ongoing between the province and local governments,” he said.
