FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Steve McDonald, stevem@sema.org <mailto:stevem@sema.org>
SEMA, 202/783-6007


SEMA BILL TO CREATE CALIFORNIA EXHAUST NOISE TESTING PROGRAM BECOMES LAW


WASHINGTON (Sept. 19, 2002) - Thanks to a new SEMA-sponsored law, California automobile hobbyists are now better equipped to fight unfair exhaust noise citations issued by state law enforcement officers. Legislation recently signed into law by Governor Gray Davis to provide for a statewide exhaust noise testing program will allow motorists to prove they comply with state noise standards.

The new law requires smog check stations that provide referee functions to perform the test. These referee stations will issue certificates of compliance for vehicles when tests of their exhaust systems demonstrate that they emit no more than 95-decibels, under Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test procedure J1169. Only those vehicles that have received a citation for an exhaust noise violation will be permitted to submit their vehicle for the test.

The law also allows courts to dismiss citations for exhaust systems that have been tested and for which a certificate of compliance has been issued. Fees charged to motorists for the certificates of compliance will pay for the testing program.


"The new law forces compliance with an objectively measured standard in a fair and predictable test. Through this procedure, motorists who drive vehicles legally equipped with modified exhaust systems can confirm that they comply with California's exhaust noise standards," said SEMA Director of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "For years, the enforcement policy used by police officers deemed nearly all exhaust system modifications illegal, even where the noise levels were not excessive or unusual. That policy left exhaust system manufacturers, dealers and their customers without recourse."

Last year, Governor Davis signed into law another SEMA-sponsored bill to compel law enforcement officials to tie exhaust system noise citations to the 95-decibel limit and to make clear that aftermarket modified exhaust systems are legal if they comply with the standard. However, exhaust noise citations were still primarily prosecuted solely based on the officer's subjective judgment. The new law should go far toward improving motorists' odds of beating the ticket in court.

"Motorists who modify their vehicles for durability, appearance and performance prefer aftermarket exhaust systems," McDonald added. "By establishing this evenhanded testing process, this law will serve to benefit consumers who favor these state-of-the-art products, the aftermarket industry which markets them and even police officers who are charged with enforcing the law."

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, represents the $26 billion specialty automotive industry. The trade association has approximately 4,500 member companies. It is the authoritative source of research data, trends and market growth information for automakers and the specialty auto products industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger cars, minivans, trucks, SUVs and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr., Diamond Bar, CA, 91765-3914; call 909/396-0289; or visit http://www.sema.org <http://www.sema.org> or http://www.enjoythedrive.com <http://www.enjoythedrive.com>.


[Modified by Steve Grodin, 1:40 PM 9/19/2002]

 

95 decibels. How?

10 feet away at idle? 50 feet away at 5,000 RPM? With a microphone shoved in the pipe at WOT?

 

Say....BYE BYE SIDEPIPES... :mad

 

What's to stop ya from running open side pipes then just stuff some baffles in when you get a ticket and have to get it tested?

 

I can see it now, wholesale issuance of tickets. Then the officer can forget about it. You pay your fine or you go to the inspection station for testing and pay for the test. The driver looses either way. Wonder which would be cheaper.

If the officer has the slightest question about the exhaust he just sends you to the inspection station, via a ticket, to confirm the noise level. Guess the advantage is that you can stuff some baffles in before you go or even reinstall the stock mufflers.

tom...

 

I love how they start by making this sound like this is a GOOD thing for automobile hobbyists. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

Whoa, easy boys! The OLD limit was 82 db! If a cop gave you a ticket, you were screwed because the just said "hey, modified exhaust"!, no matter how clean or mellow it sounded. I outta know, my Corvair with Supertrapps was just over and I had a separate system for getting tickets signed off. This oughta give the over-eager rookies pause on the marginal noise citations. Now my sidepipes - Ha!

In reality, I have had no problems for years.

Hans

 

Land of the Free............
:lol: :lol:

 

Yeah -- what he said.

Would you prefer a lower limit and no real way to test to prove your guilt or innocence ?

 

..... as long as you do what you're told :( (well, that's how it works here).

 

Why do Harley Davidson's get away with all the noise without any restrictions??? :mad

Bob

 

California :rolleyes:

 

95 decibels???? I think that I produce 160+++ Thanks god - I don't live in California...

 

Bet yur neighbors love you in the morning. Did you say that you live in a condo with underground parking? Main that would be real in a parking garage. :eek:

 

Most of the time - I drive my Vette during daytime... My garage spaces are also in the lower garage... We have to floors of garages... The noise can be heared in the garage above but not in the condo units 2 floors above...
I always try to keep the Vette close to idle RPM when pulling into the garage... but I still cannot prevent setting off all the car alarms there...