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For several years now, I have lived in an apartment facing the very busy Route 220 in Altoona. My residence is bracketed by stop lights located on the highway which, of course, result in red lights that slow the high speed traffic to a stop. Therein lies the issue.
The noise created by loud after-market mufflers from some of the automobiles and large cruiser motorcycles is deafening. Then there are wolf packs of crotch rockets devouring silence as they race to the next red light. Adding to this mix is the noise created by truckers engaging their jake brakes on their diesel engines. It often sounds as though I live within Johnstown's Thunder in the Valley event. Here are a couple of questions.
What ever happened to noise abatement standards?
Let me answer that question. The police are too busy in today's culture investigating and arresting those who are committing major crimes (e.g. murder, armed robberies, sex trafficking, drug trafficking, domestic violence, rape, terrorism, burglary, theft, larceny, aggravated assault, auto theft, and arson). They simply do not have the time or resources to address load mufflers.
2. How can these noisy vehicles pass mandatory annual state inspections?
Yes, there are noise standards that must be met before passage. Perhaps the stations are not testing noise levels.
Might I suggest the following solutions? Impose $500 fines or more for illegal muffler noise and modifications. Decertify inspectors who are not enforcing noise abatement laws. The word would spread rapidly throughout Altoona.
Donn C. Drummond
Altoona