The City of Red Deer may muffle the rumble out of souped-up trucks and motorcycles.
City councillors Cindy Jefferies, Gail Parks and Larry Pimm will bring forward a motion at the June 28 council meeting which will ask administration to compile a report on what needs to be done to curb growing vehicle noise.
Their notice of motion, read during Monday’s council meeting, speaks to the many complaints the city receives regarding noisy vehicles, like those with modified exhaust systems.
“It’s a complaint we receive more and more as councillors,” said Jefferies.
One woman who lives near a busy road explained the noise is getting worse due to individual vehicles and not overall traffic.
“We need to have some kind of standard, measuring what is acceptable and what is not,” Jefferies said.
If the motion is passed, Jefferies is expecting some backlash from those who like to show their mighty presence on the road.
“I also think that people need to recognize when they are bothering and disturbing the lives of others.”
The motion states the Traffic Safety Act allows municipalities to make bylaws with respect to noise produced by a vehicle. It also refers to a CBC Marketplace television report done on noise regulations in 2001, showing other municipalities and countries have taken measures to establish community noise levels.
Besides the administrative report being sought, the three councillors will also ask the city to review its policy and practices regarding vehicle noise, and consider setting standards, regulations and restrictions on vehicle noise.
Recently, the City of Edmonton passed a bylaw limiting motorcycle noise, the first of its kind in Canada. It’s now looking at cars and trucks as well, Jefferies said.
Calgary is considering fines for all noisy vehicles, not just motorcycles.
Among the city council decisions made Monday were:
• Central Alberta Historical Society appointed as lead organizer of the City of Red Deer’s centennial celebrations in 2013.
• A decision on whether or not to allow Crime Stoppers signs in city right of ways was set aside for up to 10 weeks, pending clarification from organization and RCMP and further review city council policy concerning guide and information signs.
• Further traffic measures will be done along 39th Street near Denison Crescent, along with a report to come within three months on alleviating the speed issue
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com