Tony WrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what provisions exist for the police to take action against motorists who emit loud noise from car stereos. [141919]
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§ Mr. BradshawThe police have powers to restrict noise from moving vehicles under Regulation 97 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. This regulation makes it an offence to use a motor vehicle on the road in such a manner as to cause any excessive noise that could have been avoided by the exercise of reasonable care on the part of the driver; this includes excessive noise from car stereos. The penalty is a fine of up to £1,000.
In addition, Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 gives power to seize a vehicle if it is being used in certain specified circumstances, including in a manner
causing or likely to cause, alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public".The Police (Retention and Disposal of Motor Vehicles) Regulations 2002 (SI 2002/3049) provide for the retention, safe-keeping and disposal by the police (or persons authorised by them) of vehicles seized under section 59.