The new cameras that send you a fine if your engine is too loud

The Department for Transport has launched a competition to find the noisiest streets in Britain.

The loudest will try new noise cameras that can detect if your engine is too loud and send a ticket in the mail.

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MEPs are urged to submit motions for theirs now

The camera technology is intended to catch drivers who rev up their engine or have an illegal exhaust system fitted to their car.

You can judge how loud the exhaust is and read a car’s license plate at the same time.

The Department for Transport said: “The £300,000-backed technology can automatically detect when vehicles are in breach of noise laws, helping police and local authorities with the tools and evidence to take action against drivers who break noise laws.

“Police have existing powers, including the ability to impose fines, but are currently struggling to collect evidence.

“The latest phase of noise testing builds on a 3-year program to perfect the technology.

“Research shows that noise pollution can have a significant impact on the physical and mental health of local residents – with heart attacks, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and stress all linked to long-term exposure to noisy environments.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said he wants to ban young racers from Britain’s roads to save billions of pounds in social bills.

He said: “We want those on the noisiest streets in Britain, who are kept awake at night by unbearably revving engines and loud exhausts, to come to the front with volunteer areas to test and perfect the latest innovative technology.

“For too long, rowdy drivers have been able to disrupt our communities with illegal noisy vehicles. It is time we took action to end this nuisance, banish the young racer and restore peace and tranquility to the local streets.”

The legal limit for a car’s exhaust is 74 decibels if it was produced after 2016, when the limit was introduced.

Motorists can be fined between £100 and £2500 for exceeding noise limits.

Kensington and Chelsea Council in west London ran a pilot in late 2020, triggering cameras 2,000 times and issuing 163 fines.

Some of the loudest cars on record reached 112 decibels.