The battle to reduce road traffic noise – are noise cameras the …

Living with road noise can be draining and has even been associated with health problems.

The UK government has been trialling noise cameras in an attempt to reduce loud traffic noise by targeting the drivers or vehicles responsible.

Below, we take a closer look at noise camera technology and also examine the measures you can take if you live near a busy road.

Plus, we've got tips on dealing with your own vehicle if it's making an unusual sound.

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What are noise cameras?

Noise cameras (sometimes referred to as 'acoustic cameras') are used to manage noise pollution in urban areas. The devices are equipped with audio sensors and an automated number plate recognition (ANPR) system, like a speed camera, to identify vehicles with above-average noise levels.

The technology was first trialled as part of a GBP300,000 scheme that ended earlier this year - roads in Birmingham, Bradford, Gloucestershire and Great Yarmouth all featured in the study.

A statement issued by the government said that it hoped the cameras would clamp down on revving engines and illegal exhausts. It also noted that police have powers to issue fines for noisy vehicles, but currently have trouble gathering evidence.

Which? members have their say

In a survey of 1,104 Which? members, 77% of respondents said that they would support a roll-out of noise cameras in their local area.

Meanwhile, 65% of those surveyed felt that the current GBP50 fine for a vehicle caught by one of the cameras was fair.

Of those who didn't, some felt a warning or a lower fine would be more appropriate, while others felt GBP50 was too low to be effective.

Will the noise camera trial be extended?

The Department for Transport (DfT) told Which? that it plans to publish the findings of its trials in due course.

It recently announced it intends to provide local authorities with guidance on the use of noise cameras.

What are the current UK laws around noisy vehicles?

Noise limits for vehicles vary depending on the vehicle category and engine power. According to the DfT:

For most new cars, the maximum legal sound limit is around 70 decibels (dB). It's now illegal to modify a car's exhaust to make it louder than this.
The Vehicle Certification Agency [2] (VHA) website says that by 2026, the limit for most new passenger cars will be 68dB.
For new motorcycles, the legal sound limit is between 73 and 77dB.
For trucks, the legal sound limit is around 81dB.

The DfT told us that noise limits have been reduced over time in incremental steps to drive the development of vehicles with lower environmental impact.

Although noise limits are in place for individual vehicles, confusingly there's no legal limit to road noise. A page on the gov.uk website [3] says that you can apply for compensation if your property value goes down because of road noise from the use of a new or altered road.

The rise of electric engines has produced a generation of vehicles with quieter motors. To see which models our experts recommend, read our guide on the best electric cars [4]

What if my car is noisy?

If you believe your vehicle is louder than normal, get it checked by a professional at a garage to see if there's an underlying problem.

Our list of Which?

Trusted Traders [5] includes mechanics across the country who are assessed and endorsed by our experts to give you a service you can rely on.

An unusual noise could refer to:

A ticking sound Often associated with valves and hydraulic lifters.
A grinding sound Could be linked to your gearbox, wheel bearings or breaks.
Drumming or vibrations Wheels might be out of balance or you have deflating/worn-out tyres.

However, our experts say such issues are very unlikely to cause a driver to fall foul of the new noise cameras.

We've also compared breakdown providers (including AA, Green Flag and RAC) to find which ones you can trust. See our guide to the best car breakdown providers [6]

How to reduce road noise at home

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in five Europeans are regularly exposed to sound levels at night that could significantly damage their health.

If you live near a busy road and the constant sound of traffic is getting to you, there are ways of mitigating the noise.

Making sure you've chosen the best type of double glazing [7] for your home is a good idea, given that it can make a huge difference when it comes to soundproofing your home.

Triple-glazed windows have a third pane of glass, so they should help even more. As you'd expect, triple glazing is more expensive than double.

If you're really keen on getting it, but the cost is prohibitive for your entire home, think about prioritising just the rooms that suffer worst from external noise.

See our double glazing reviews [8] to discover which national company was rated highest and lowest

Blocking out traffic noise in the bedroom

Noise from roads or passing aircraft becomes a particular issue when it starts to interfere with your sleep.

Sometimes people get used to the sound over time, but constant disruption from revving engines and wailing sirens means others can struggle to switch off.

One affordable way to protect yourself is to invest in a pair of ear plugs.

Our guide on how to buy the best ear plugs [9] suggests that you look for options specifically marketed for sleeping. Most of these are made from soft silicone and are designed to be as comfortable as possible for using at night.

Some people find streaming white noise, for example via an app, or playing soft music can be helpful, as it can mask the disruptive stop-start sound of passing engines.

An effective pair of noise-cancelling headphones [10] can also help you block out distracting noises while you're trying to unwind.

It's also worth ensuring that your bedroom is as comfortable as possible. Invest in blackout curtains and make sure your room is neither too hot nor too cold.

According to the NHS, the optimum temperature for sleeping is around 18?C.

A decent mattress and pillow can also help you relax. A new mattress might not be as expensive as you would think, with our Best Buys starting from GBP200, and can give you the comfort and support you need for a sound sleep.

Find the brands that make up our list of the best mattresses and best pillows [11][12]

Blocking out traffic noise in the garden

If your garden runs alongside a noisy road, it can make it difficult for you to relax and make the most of it.

However, our experts suggest creative planting and other features can make a difference.

'You can look at barriers, such as trellis panels on top of fencing which can extend climbing plants higher.

'See if you can include dense, tall plants, such as bamboo, to muffle the noise - grow in large pots to stop it spreading. Finally, a moving water feature, such as a fountain, can help distract your ears.'

Ceri Thomas, Which?

Gardening editor

Breathe new life into your outside spaces. Sign up for our free monthly Gardening newsletter [13]

How to make a noise complaint to the police

Different types of road noise come under different authorities.

A neighbour's noisy car stereo, parked on private land or on the street, falls under the local authority's power. However, if it's a one-off occurrence, they are unlikely to take any action. If the problem persists, Citizens Advice suggests that you may be better off trying to resolve the issue in person if you feel safe to do so.

The police have the power to issue a verbal warning or a fixed penalty notice for noisy exhausts, but you'll need to have some means of identifying the driver, such as a car registration.

References

^ Sign up for our Cars newsletter, it's free monthly (signup.which.co.uk)
^ Vehicle Certification Agency (www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk)
^ gov.uk website (www.gov.uk)
^ best electric cars (www.which.co.uk)
^ Which?
Trusted Traders (trustedtraders.which.co.uk)
^ best car breakdown providers (www.which.co.uk)
^ best type of double glazing (www.which.co.uk)
^ double glazing reviews (www.which.co.uk)
^ how to buy the best ear plugs (www.which.co.uk)
^ noise-cancelling headphones (www.which.co.uk)
^ best mattresses (www.which.co.uk)
^ best pillows (www.which.co.uk)
^ Sign up for our free monthly Gardening newsletter (signup.which.co.uk)