The majority of drivers want to see cameras installed to catch drivers who rev their cars unnecessarily or whose vehicles have illegally loud exhausts.
New research by the RAC found that six-in-10 drivers (58%) said they would be in favour of so-called ‘noise cameras’ being widely used.
Only a fifth (22%) were against the idea, with a similar proportion (20%) unsure.
The cameras, which are triggered by a number of microphones, can pinpoint vehicles exceeding the 74-decibel legal limit as they pass by.
The Department for Transport started a £300,000 trial of these cameras last October.
The RAC’s survey of over 1,400 drivers also found a third (34%) said they regularly hear loud revving engines or excessively loud exhausts. This rose to nearly half of drivers in London (47%) and to 40% in Wales and Scotland.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: ‘It’s plain wrong that those who have fitted their cars with modified exhausts, some motorbike riders and supercar owners can currently just get away with making an unacceptable amount of noise.
‘Fortunately, the Department for Transport’s recent noise camera trials may provide the solution. We hope the findings are positive and that the technology can be quickly and cost-efficiently rolled out to the worst affected areas.’
