I am writing to raise a serious quality of life issue affecting residents across New Jersey, excessively loud vehicles, particularly those with aftermarket mufflers and certain motorcycles, that purposely create noise levels comparable to explosions or even gunshots. I’m assuming these drivers need the attention.

In recent years, New Jersey has taken steps to address public nuisances, such as cracking down on so called boom cars because of the disturbance they cause. That leads to a simple and fair question, why are vehicles with extremely loud exhaust systems still allowed on our roads?

Over Yom Tov, my family and neighbors were woken up in the middle of the night by a car driving up and down our block with what was clearly an aftermarket muffler installed to make such noises. The noise was not just loud, it was startling and completely unreasonable for a residential neighborhood. And this is not a one time thing, similar disturbances happen often from certain motorcycles as well. Sometimes walking to Shul, these drivers will purposely blast these muffler noises right near a group of people too.

No one is saying the state should force people to drive electric cars, although it would make sense for government vehicles to start moving in that direction. But just like boom cars were recognized as a nuisance, these extremely loud mufflers serve no real purpose other than to disturb entire neighborhoods, and they should be treated the same way.

It is hard to believe that any normal resident would oppose common sense legislation to reduce this kind of noise. This is not about taking away anyone’s rights, it is about basic respect and being able to live in your home without being constantly disturbed.

I am asking New Jersey legislators to step in and do something about this, strengthen enforcement of current noise laws, close any loopholes that allow these modifications, and issue real fines to those who violate them. Residents should not have to deal with this.

If you are a legislator reading this, please take this seriously and help bring some peace back to our neighborhoods.

Thank you,

A Concerned Resident

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