College Avenue in Appleton, August 24, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — As excessive vehicle noise continues to cause problems in Appleton, city leaders are increasingly targeting illegal exhaust systems.
Earlier this year, a group called “Stop the Noise” formed to call attention to the issue, saying it has a negative impact on those who live and work in the area. Last month, approximately 100 Appleton residents, businesses and higher education leaders gathered to discuss what progress has been made and push for more enforcement.
Advocates say they are calling out vehicles with no mufflers or that loudly rev their engines — not just ordinary car or motorcycle traffic.
On Tuesday, Woodford released a letter he penned to the Appleton community about the excessive vehicle noise issue. He said the city’s efforts so far have included reconfiguring College Avenue through downtown, bolstering the police department’s enforcement of traffic laws through the creation of a Traffic Safety Unit staffed with two new positions, making revisions to the city’s noise ordinances and investigating legal means of addressing concerns about excessive vehicle noise.
And, according to Woodford, over the summer, the city began increasing its emphasis on enforcement of exhaust system requirements for motor vehicles.
State Statutes do not provide for issuance of citations for noise alone, rather, on the nature of exhaust systems. Properly maintained stock exhaust systems are generally considered compliant, regardless of the level of sound they emit. Local traffic ordinances cannot overrule State Statutes unless expressly permitted by state law.
Given these complexities, the City of Appleton has taken a measured approach to enforcement.
Woodford said officers have been initiating more traffic stops related to exhaust systems after “observing vehicles emitting noise suspected of being excessive for a stock vehicle.” He said not every situation will meet the criteria for a citation, but warned motorists to be aware:
If your vehicle is significantly louder than a standard vehicle, and especially if it is operated in a way that increases noise (excessive revving, aggressive acceleration), you should expect to be stopped and may be subject to a citation.
Enforcement data related to excessive noise will be provided to the Safety and Licensing Committee of the Appleton Common Council on a quarterly basis. Woodford said the city is working within the confines of its available resources and the current state laws to address this issue.
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