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Clinton Council to vote on noise ordinance

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By Steven Martens | Tuesday, December 11, 2007 |

CLINTON, Iowa — In an effort to crack down on noisy vehicles, the Clinton City Council is scheduled to vote for the final time today on an ordinance that would make it illegal to operate a vehicle that is clearly audible 75 feet away.

City Attorney Matt Brisch said noise ordinances based on distance are becoming more popular among municipalities than ordinances based on decibel levels because the meters used to measure decibels are expensive and need to be calibrated, and police officers have to be certified in their use.

He said such ordinances also are difficult to enforce because the officer with the decibel meter has to be called to the scene of a loud vehicle, and the vehicle usually is gone before the officer arrives.

The proposed fine for violating the ordinance is $50 for a first offense and $100 for a second offense within two years.

Council member Bob Soesbe, 1st Ward, said a recent survey conducted at five Clinton locations revealed that 15 of 500 cars violated the proposed ordinance.

Council members generally support the ordinance. Fred Donovan of DeWitt, a district coordinator for the motorcycle education group ABATE of Iowa, said motorcyclists often want their motorcycles to be loud because it makes other drivers more aware of the motorcycles on the road.

“We like loud pipes for safety,” Donovan said.

The second and third readings of the proposed ordinance are on the agenda for today’s meeting, unless the meeting is postponed due to the ice storm.

Steven Martens can be contacted at (563) 659-2595 or smartens@qctimes.com.