Loud car subwoofers in traffic jams & the law?

[Mylo]

What is the law regarding loud car stereos being used in non residential areas?
I play my music very loud in the car and probably upset a fair few other motorists when traffic stops moving. While this may be annoying to some, is it against the law?

Obviously when I enter a residential or commercial area the volume is reduced and the windows are all shut to keep the noise in.
I don't like people doing outside my house, so I don't do it myself

[William123]

Bloody pests, they should be fined for noise pollution

[p203557]

If the vehicle is in a public area or on the public highway it is a matter for the Police as they have powers under Regulation 97 of the Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 to prohibit the use of a vehicle emitting avoidable excessive noise. If in a particular case playing a stereo at excessive volume amounted to driving without reasonable consideration for others contrary to Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 and was causing or was likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance, the driver may be liable to having his vehicle seized under the provisions of Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002.

However for the vehicle to be seized the owner / driver must be served with a warning and ignore that warning. Not likely to get that far but the law is there!!

[p203557]

A link that makes it a bit clearer than I did above http://www.publications.parliament.u...t/60512w01.htm

[Mylo]

Thanks

I have to admit that drowning out the noise from a rep-mobile during one of the M25's many jams has provided me with some amusement in the past

[Dynaudio Desire]

Mmmm My brother has got 2 12" audibahn subs in his boot of a Vauxhall Astra.

How can anyone put up with it?? The pressure is phanominal.

[Garrett]

I cannot see why people have to have the music very loud unless there practicaly deaf or want to be.

Music above a level no longer becomes music to me but noise, mind you most of the stuff they churn out today at low levels can be classed as noise.

I’m sure music turned up too loud is also detracting for the driver and also could drown out traffic information such as getting out of the road of emergency vehicles well in time.

[Mylo]

15" JBL The windows need to be open to let it really sing. Owning a Volvo means I can deafen myself with the windows up with very little sound leaking out compared to other marques I've owned. If the bass drowns out the other frequencies then there is no point in my book, just like with HC

I check my mirrors and surroundings regularly so emergency vehicles are not a problem.

[Nick_UK]

Originally Posted by Garrett

I cannot see why people have to have the music very loud unless there practicaly deaf or want to be.

It really wouldn't be so bad if they sounded good, but the majority of them have too much bass, and it's forced bass at that. Just like oversized "boom boxes". They're not listening to the music, they're just trying to show off, and making themselves look idiots in the process.

[T-Bone]

Cars for driving, Homes for Hi-Fi's IMO.

[Garrett]

Originally Posted by Mylo

I check my mirrors and surroundings regularly so emergency vehicles are not a problem.

You generaly hear tham long before thay come into vision thus giving you time to find a safe spot to pull over, a lot of the time if you only spot them in the mirror etc it could be too late.

[overkill]

Originally Posted by Nick_UK

It really wouldn't be so bad if they sounded good, but the majority of them have too much bass, and it's forced bass at that. Just like oversized "boom boxes". They're not listening to the music, they're just trying to show off, and making themselves look idiots in the process.

Agreed. What's worse is you are sitting quite comfortably, vegging out in front of a decent film, and some chav you can hear approaching from half a mile away, screams past (they never drive anywhere below 60) with either A) Dance or B) Rap blaring out of his pratmobile at 100watts per channel. Result, moment lost and kettle put on..........

[Jenn]

Originally Posted by Mylo

I check my mirrors and surroundings regularly so emergency vehicles are not a problem.

Except when they come from a side street through the red light...

[Mylo]

Jenn, have you read my posts?

In residential areas the music is turned down and I am well aware of my surroundings.
If a vehicle managed to jump a red light at a junction it would make no difference whether I had the stereo on or not, exactly the same as any other driver
I do 21k miles a year on average and have never been involved in or caused an accident, can you claim to be as careful a driver?

Best place to listen to music is in the car.

If you have a decent system it can go as loud as you can bear with no distortion and perfect clarity.

Nobody to whinge at your choice of music, no neibours banging on the wall,pure bliss..turn it up Mylo...