Police looking into complaints about loud, speeding vehicles

Troy Shantz Sarnia Police will look into how its officers can better enforce the law pertaining to loud and speeding cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Troy Shantz

Sarnia Police will look into how its officers can better enforce the law pertaining to loud and speeding cars, trucks and motorcycles.

The Sarnia Police Services Board endorsed the staff report following an appeal by resident Reva Steenbergen, who presented a 1,000-name petition calling on city police to do something about aggressive drivers with illegally modified mufflers and exhaust systems.

“These drivers are violating people’s right to live peacefully in their own homes, as well as affecting businesses as they tear through residential and business areas, bringing obnoxiously loud noise right to their front door,” Steenbergen told the June 24 board meeting.

“Nobody should have to tolerate this.”

Steenbergen said she’s been threatened and harassed since going public with her complaint, and was informed by police that ticketing loud vehicle owners is a low priority.

“These drivers are using their cars as weapons,” she said, adding that equipping police cruisers with decibel meters would be a good start.

Police have conducted enforcement blitzes in and around Canatara Park this summer after receiving numerous complaints about speeding vehicles, loud mufflers, dangerous driving, and drinking and fighting in public.

Chief Norm Hansen told the board that complaints about excessively loud vehicles are a perennial problem.

“Every year we get this, especially when the weather turns nice and people get their cars out and motorcycles,” he said. “The problem is that noise tickets are extremely subjective. It’s the opinion of the officer.”

An earlier estimate found a decibel meter could cost $10,000, which the chief said is an expense difficult to justify in a department the size of Sarnia’s.

A road sign that displays driver speeds has been requested in this year’s budget.

Police Board Chair Mike Bradley said staff would look into the cost of a decibel meter and raise the issue with the province, which determines fines through the Highway Traffic Act.

Board members approved the staff report unanimously.

Steenbergen’s petition can be found at www.change.org/sarniatraffic.