The divisional traffic unit in Mayo has launched an initiative, which is part of a nationwide campaign, in order to deal with vehicles which have loud exhausts and excessively tinted windows. However, gardaí in Mayo are giving motorists in Mayo a grace period of two weeks, until June 15, to rectify these defects.
Roadside checkpoints will be set up county-wide where two new pieces of equipment — the Tintman light monitor and noise level meter — will be used to check for blacked out windows or loud exhausts. Any silencer measuring a noise level in excess of 99 decibels can result in a prosecution and windows must allow for 65 per cent of light to pass through the windscreen, front seat passenger and driver’s window.
For the next two weeks, cars which have these defects at roadside checkpoints will have to have these rectified and then produced at a garda station for inspection. The offence will be dealt with by way of caution during this period. However, after June 15 any driver detected driving with a noisy exhaust or blacked out windows will be prosecuted. Fines range from €1,000 for the fist offence to €2,000 for the second or subsequent offence. If there are three offences in a year, a prison sentence of up to three months can be imposed.
Superintendent Peter O’Boyle said that this grace period will allow drivers of such cars to “sort out the problem” and “get back on track”.
Inspector Joe Doherty said that complaints about modified cars with noisy exhausts are frequently raised at local community alert, neighbourhood watch and joint policing committees and that this crackdown will target this issue.
The inspector also appealed to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to take care on the roads over the Bank Holiday weekend. As usual, there will be extra garda patrols throughout the county’s roads over the weekend.
Supporting Safer Communities
An Garda Síochána is also running a national safety initiative, the Supporting Safer Communities Campaign, from June 1 to 6, which highlights the importance of road safety.
The campaign also focuses on home burglary advice, theft from vehicles, theft of farm machinery and the theft of pedal cycles.
Visit www.garda.ie for safety tips, or crime prevention advice can also be obtained from the Garda Crime Prevention Officer, Sergeant Tony Cosgrove at Castlebar Garda Station. Telephone: 094 903 8200.
