The Dubuque Police Department’s enforcement of noise-related ordinances, specifically those pertaining to motor vehicles, has increased significantly since 2010 in response to citizen concerns and requests.
The Dubuque Police Department’s enforcement of noise-related ordinances, specifically those pertaining to motor vehicles, has increased significantly since 2010 in response to increased citizen complaints and recommendations offered by Dubuque’s Safe Community Task Force.
The Dubuque City Council and City staff have been receiving feedback on these efforts and addressing misinformation in the community with facts, which include:
• 220 traffic citations (plus 103 written warnings) have been issued for muffler/improper exhaust violations, between January 1, 2011, and June 30, 2011
• 161 citations (73%) were issued for cars and trucks while 59 (27%) were issued to
motorcycles
• Of the 220 citations issued, 46 (21%) were Harley-Davidson motorcycles
• There are 4,626 motorcycles registered in Dubuque County. Without taking into consideration repeat violators or motorcycles registered outside of Dubuque County that may have been cited, the 63 citations for motorcycles would represent 1.4% of the motorcycles registered in the county.
• Motorcycle exhaust systems that are not Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) are not illegal if they are properly equipped with a muffler which prevents excessive noise. Non-OEM exhausts without a muffler may receive a citation based on visual inspection only, but the lack of a proper exhaust system is normally accompanied by excessive noise witnessed by an officer.
Iowa Motor Vehicle Code and Dubuque City Ordinance both require all motor vehicles have a functional muffler system and the ongoing efforts to insure the standard is applied equally to all vehicles will continue. And while these codes state that simply having an improper exhaust/muffler system on a motor vehicle is illegal, it is often the resulting excessive noise produced by blatant violators of this code that results in a citation being issued.
“We are listening to both sides of this issue and addressing their valid concerns,” said Dubuque Police Chief Mark Dalsing. “We understand the concerns of the motorcycle enthusiasts but we must also weigh them against the concerns of the greater percentage of the population that is negatively affected by noise.”
Dalsing also addressed rumors in the community. “There are stories circulating in the city that we are only cracking down on motorcycles, have issued hundreds of tickets to them, and are stopping entire groups of riders on benefit rides,” he said. Dalsing noted that the statistics for the first six months of 2011 show enforcement on four-wheeled vehicles outnumbers motorcycles at a rate of 4 to 1. Additionally, he said that, even during special traffic projects, the police department has not stopped any group of more than four vehicles. On the heaviest enforcement day, June 12, only 15 total vehicles were cited over a 24 hour period.
“This is an important quality of life issue for many citizens and I believe the department’s efforts have made an impact,” said Dalsing “Whether it is a better awareness of citizen objection to the noise, or a desire to avoid a ticket, many riders have changed their riding habits and are doing their part to make Dubuque a better place to live and we appreciate their conscientious efforts as well..”
Enforcement of the ordinance will continue along with efforts to educate the public on legal equipment and acceptable noise levels.