FOLLOWUP: Cameras to crack down on vehicle noise? Legislature hasn’t hit the brakes so far

That’s Seattle Channel video of today’s City Council briefing meeting, which – as is usual this time of year – included an update on proposed state legislation that the city is watching. Among the bills mentioned today: HB 1423, which would allow cities to try out vehicle-noise-enforcement cameras. District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka has taken extra interest in this one because of the issues on Alki and Harbor Avenues, so he asked for extra details. The council’s Legislature-focused staffers told him the bill was still alive, but with some changes, including redefining it as a potential pilot program expiring in 2028, adding various reporting requirements for cities that try it, and limiting it to cities of a current size (Seattle would still qualify). Meantime, Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck sent a bulletin to other community advocates tonight urging wide support for HB 1423 and its counterpart SB 5417, as well as requesting signatures on this new Change.org petition.

Marcus March 4, 2025 (4:50 am)

If the very few cannot exercise responsibility then I support the many who deem it necessary. It is time that the many in our society place the few on notice that this behavior is not acceptable.

spooled March 4, 2025 (5:05 am)

I wish they’d start with liscence plate enforcement. Expired, missing, obscured, fake, I see them all every commute. Seems like lower hanging fruit than the (obnoxious, yes) excessive exhaust noise crowd. Easier to prove too. A simple picture of the violation should be indisputable.

Jay March 4, 2025 (3:07 pm)

Reply

A HOON1GAN or similar fake plate for racing and takeovers should result in impounding and destroying the vehicle.

Watertowerjim March 4, 2025 (6:22 am)

We have one blue car in the Admiral/Hiawatha area who does nothing but drive around revving his engine. One of those without a muffler (or with a sparky?) I think he’s unemployed and misses his high school glory days because he spins around the high school parking lot during class. It’s kind of sad. Should be illegal.

RS March 4, 2025 (4:18 pm)

Reply

That individual with the loud car is actually a young WSHS student who is poorly parented and tears through the school zone while the lights are flashing, driving recklessly and endangering others.

Brian March 4, 2025 (7:10 am)

On my laundry list of public safety and crime concerns, “loud noises” has gotta be at the very bottom.

Marcus March 4, 2025 (7:59 am)

Reply

How can I say that many of our crime and safety issues come from the people that ignore the small insignificant actions like modified exhausts that lead to street racers and no license mostly stolen cars with all kinds of crime. Just two examples. These small infractions kept to the minimum do make a difference in the overall occurrences of crime and general safety:
- WS Res March 5, 2025 (8:21 am)
  
  Reply
  
  I thought auto theft was already a crime.
Christopher B. March 4, 2025 (8:17 am)

Reply

@Brian: That’s nice for you that you don’t find this issue a problem. But there are a lot of other people in this community who do. Noise pollution IS pollution. And this is a real quality of life issue for people, domestic pets, wildlife, etc. Some of us are made miserable about the narcissistic sociopaths who feel the need to force everyone within an 8 block radius to listen to their illegally loud vehicles wherever they go. And in the vast spectrum of crime, this one seems like one of the more solvable. I applaud efforts to curtail this unnecessary, excessive noise. These critters need to find another way to assuage their need for attention.
Watertowerjim March 4, 2025 (8:20 am)

Reply

Unless you work night-shift.

WaitingForSpring March 4, 2025 (7:19 am)

If they want to test drive those cameras, they should try them on 26th Ave SW. It’s a drag race strip between 116th & 106th/107th with the noisiest of cars traveling back & forth multiple times a day, every day.

k March 4, 2025 (9:17 am)

Reply

Seriously. That particular spot is in unincorporated King County but the worst spots in West Seattle are all at the south end. But we know that, if approved, they’ll go the the wealthy neighborhoods because poor people should just expect things like extra noise and exhaust where we live.

SpringTime March 4, 2025 (7:21 am)

rmk March 4, 2025 (8:01 am)

They can pass laws all day, but nothing gets enforced and that’s the problem. Businesses are getting broken into regularly because there is near zero police presence (sometimes multiple times at the same place), but suddenly they think they can enforce loud cars?

DeadEnder March 4, 2025 (8:11 am)

How much does it cost, and can we fix the roads first?

Derek March 4, 2025 (8:31 am)

Tremendous waste of money. NO

Admiral-2009 March 4, 2025 (10:01 am)

Spoiled – agreed license plate enforcement needs to be emphasized. With funding challenges this is low hanging fruit that needs to be picked. I estimate the City of Seattle transportation budget is losing out on several million dollars and Sound Transit tens of millions a year!

Jim March 4, 2025 (12:03 pm)

How are these things going to be effective if these criminals are in a stolen car, are using a different license plate not associated with the vehicle, or taking their plates off?

Admiral-2009 March 4, 2025 (3:54 pm)

Spoiled – agreed license plate enforcement is needed. Sound Transit and other local Agencies are losing out on millions of dollars in revenue and with the State budget squeezed already seams like a good place to start. Further it’s an equity and fairness issue.

Whyohwhy March 4, 2025 (5:08 pm)

Reply

Agreed. I just got my tab renewal and 200.00 of the 298.00 is for the RTA and as you mentioned (Admiral-2009) with the State budget in a $$$billion$$$ deficit it IS UNFAIR for the ones who keep current with their tabs. Lets start ticketing these expired tab drivers, send them notices
- Maya March 5, 2025 (1:35 am)
  
  Reply
  
  What makes you think it’s equitable that people who can’t afford a few hundred dollars a year would be able to pay an expensive ticket?!
  - Bbron March 5, 2025 (5:49 am)
    
    Reply
    
    Kinda hard to believe that it’s only folks who can’t afford their registration skipping on it when the vehicles I see in my neighborhood with expired tabs or no license plate at all are newer trucks, BMWs, and sports cars.
  - Jort March 5, 2025 (9:02 am)
    
    Reply
    
    Being in poverty does not mean you have to get a ticket. Additionally, it costs money to make your car loud and obnoxious enough to warrant enforcement. So, if you have the money to make it stupid and loud and farty, you probably have the money to pay the fines for doing it.
- k March 5, 2025 (7:51 am)
  
  Reply
  
  Our RTA was like $24 until we bought a brand-new vehicle. At $200 you didn’t just drive it off the lot, but you’re driving a newer vehicle. The RTA tax is one of the few progressive taxes we have in this state. If all you can afford is some jalopy, you’re not paying much. Those who can throw down tens of thousands for a newer car pay more.

Mellow Kitty March 6, 2025 (9:29 am)

Why doesn’t SPD reinstate traffic cops? It would bring in revenue and give unsafe and irresponsible drivers tangible penalties.

WSB March 6, 2025 (12:41 pm)

Reply

They ARE doing traffic enforcement. I’ve said this several times recently. Listen to the scanner and you’ll hear for yourself – key word to listen for, “traffic.”
- Mellow Kitty March 7, 2025 (7:49 am)
  
  Reply
  
  Is there an app you recommend? I’ve never used a scanner before.
  - WSB March 9, 2025 (2:52 pm)
    
    Reply
    
    Website. Broadcastify.