New rules target noisy, smoky vehicles

3/10/02
Excessively noisy or smoky vehicles are the target of new regulations which come into effect on November 1 this year.
Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan today announced details of the Road Traffic (Vehicle Standards) Rules 2002.
Ms MacTiernan said the new rules include a 10 second limit for visible emissions and noise levels depending on the age and type of vehicles.
"This Government is serious about getting noisy and dirty vehicles off the road," she said.
"The new rules address community concern about noisy trucks, cars and motorbikes and about pollution from vehicle emissions.
"They introduce uniform, published allowable limits and standard test procedures to verify these levels.
"A vehicle in breach of these regulations may have a work order put on it requiring the owner to make the necessary repairs within a certain period.
"Until now, police and other enforcement agencies were only able to put work orders on vehicles which were so noisy or smoky that they were considered a nuisance.
"This was a very subjective assessment and often difficult to enforce."
Ten second rule for visible emissions
Ms MacTiernan said a period of 10 seconds for visible emissions was allowed to take account of:

• minor engine problems;
• changing through gears when accelerating or decelerating; and
• the engine turbocharger or supercharger (in the case of trucks) building up speed and providing sufficient air to feed the engine and burn the fuel properly.

Ms MacTiernan said there were several safeguards in place to ensure the 10 second rule was correctly applied.
"For example, in cold weather, a vehicle that has just been started can produce white water vapour, which can be readily distinguished from more persistent blue, grey or black smoke," she said.
"Transparent exhaust emissions can be detected by a heat haze, which is seen as a shimmering around the exhaust outlet and does not constitute a breach of the regulations.
"Vehicles that do not conform will normally emit smoke continuously for much longer than 10 seconds."
Noise limits
Ms MacTiernan said cars built after 1982 would have a 90dB(A) limit, older cars would be allowed up to 96dB(A). Motorbikes built after 1985 would have a 94dB(A) limit and older motorbikes would be allowed up to 100dB(A).
"These levels may seem high, but they are measured at a distance of about one metre, so that the noise will be much greater than people would normally experience," she said.
"Noise levels for petrol and diesel trucks are more complex ranging from 99-109dB(A), but are set so as not to preclude well maintained vehicles.
"If there is a dispute over vehicle noise levels, independent assessors can be brought in to provide a definitive ruling."
Enforcement
Ms MacTiernan said that the new standards would be enforced gradually over the next three years, with work orders initially issued only in extreme cases.
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Main Roads WA, the Police Service and the Department of Environmental Protection would all be involved in the introduction of thee new regulations.
"In less serious cases the vehicle owner will receive a written caution and where there is financial hardship the work order period can be extended," Ms MacTiernan said.
Minister's Office - 9213 6400