More than 500 people have signed a petition to push back on States plans targeting noisy vehicles.
Home Affairs and Environment & Infrastructure have jointly proposed changes that would make it an offence to alter a vehicle’s exhaust system in a way that intentionally increases noise. It would be a shift from the current law, which requires proving the noise is “excessive”.
The Committees argue that the current definition is too vague and difficult to enforce effectively. They’ve aimed to align Guernsey’s legislation with the UK and Jersey, whilst providing clearer legal grounds to act against vehicles modified specifically to be louder.
They also propose a separate data-collection trial to explore the feasibility of introducing specific decibel limits in the future, based on international standards. However, the Committees want to implement the changes immediately, without waiting for the potentially longer decibel limit trial.
However a change.org petition was started two days ago asking the States to pause for further research into the proposed changes. It has already garnered hundreds of signatures.
Petition put in place
While acknowledging the issue of excessively noisy vehicles, the petition argues this blanket ban is unfair and goes too far.
It claims it punishes responsible owners, small businesses, and classic vehicle enthusiasts, especially those who can’t afford quieter expensive cars or need aftermarket exhausts due to availability or safe modifications.
The petition states the organisers believe in a form of fair regulation based on measurable sound levels, (decibels), rather than a complete ban. They are asking the government to pause the proposal for public consultation and expert input.
The petition was started by James Larbelestier. He told Express: “It creates a totally unfair system where it’s ok to have a loud, obnoxious exhaust – so long as your big expensive supercar had it from the factory. Anyone else who makes any change to their exhaust, or perhaps has one built for their classic car or bike, is a criminal deserving of conviction in court.
“I’m looking to raise awareness of this and hopefully encourage deputies to give this more thought and consultation before rushing into anything.”
The States reasoning
The proposals were put forward jointly by the Committee for Home Affairs (led by Deputy Rob Prow) and the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure (led by Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez).
They believe this change will empower law enforcement to address the growing public concern about excessively noisy vehicles.
“With this policy letter we are seeking to provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to take action against those who modify their vehicles in a way which produces excessive noise,” said Deputy Prow.
“Motorbikes, mopeds and cars with excessively loud exhausts have been a growing problem in the Bailiwick for some years and I am pleased that together with the Committee for E&I we have been able to take these steps towards ensuring this issue is properly tackled.”
Deputy de Saumarez added: “There has been longstanding public concern about the excessive noise that some vehicles create, and we have been working with Home Affairs and the police to look at how we can tackle this issue in a fair and effective manner. The trial outlined in the policy letter will help determine whether other measures, such as the introduction of decibel limits, are also needed, but both committees were keen that this more complex piece of work didn’t hold up the more immediate progress that can be achieved with the proposed change to our legislation around exhausts.”
More to follow…
Express is currently reaching out to companies and those in industry who could be affected by the changes.