Jared Solomon Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Philadelphia, is pictured during a recent committee meeting in Harrisburg.

A state lawmaker is ready to crack down on vehicle noise by banning the sale of muffler and exhaust pipe modifiers on all vehicles.

House Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Philadelphia, recently introduced House Bill 2556, which if passed would levy a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail for selling a cut-out, bypass or similar device that increases the noise from a vehicle’s exhaust system. It would also ban the removal of the internal baffling on a muffler or the use of straight pipes.

The legislation would affect all vehicles, ATVs and motorcycles made after 1978 and requires PennDOT to revoke, suspend or refuse to renew the ability of inspection stations to perform inspections if they are found to have violated the law three times in 18 months.

“We need to provide our state agencies with clear guidelines so that law enforcement can enforce these regulations and address noise pollution in our communities,” Solomon wrote in his co-sponsorship memorandum. “My legislation aims to reduce noise on busy streets, cut down on exhaust pollution and improve the quality of life for Pennsylvanians.”

New York passed a similar bill in 2021 with S784B, which increased enforcement against motorists and repair shops that illegally modify mufflers and exhaust systems to make them excessively noisy for motor vehicles and motorcycles. The bill increased fines and penalties while also creating more strict regulations on vehicle equipment. Maximum fines for installing illegal equipment increased to $1,000, an $850 increase. Inspection stations also began having to inspect motorcycles to ensure mufflers and exhausts aren’t illegally modified.

Ironically, both the New York bill and Solomon’s proposal use the same acronym, SLEEP. A similar bill has also been introduced in Michigan. And, New York City has begun using traffic cameras equipped with sound meters capable of identifying souped-up cars and motorbikes emitting an illegal amount of street noise, according to a 2023 Associated Press report. At least 71 drivers received tickets so far for violating noise rules during a yearlong pilot program of the system. The city’s Department of Environmental Protection planned to expand the use of the roadside sound meters. A year ago, Paris, one of Europe’s noisier cities, installed similar equipment along some streets.

Loud noise, hitting 120 decibels, can cause immediate harm to one’s ears, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even prolonged noise above 70 decibels can eventually damage hearing. A roaring motorcycle is about 95 decibels.

“You cannot relax in your home or get the rest you need when the soundtrack of our neighborhoods consists of drag racing through residential streets,” Solomon wrote. “Loud exhaust noise is not only a nuisance, but it negatively affects property values, degrades our air quality and results in more frequent noise complaints and increased enforcement costs for police.”