DRIVERS have been warned about $1,000 in fines for failing to have a vital car feature.
The bill would target drivers who are noncompliant with the effort to quiet traffic along roadways.
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Colorado drivers could be slammed with $1,000 fines for cars that don’t have a muffler installed, as reported by the Post Independent.
Mufflers are designed to absorb and reduce the sound produced by the engine’s exhaust.
They achieve this by channeling exhaust gases through a series of chambers and tubes, often with perforated walls or baffles, which help to quiet the sound.
The House bill was introduced as a way to crack down on noisy streets by doubling the $500 fine to $1,000.
Colorado officers would also be able to identify offenders by asking drivers to make mufflers clear and visible for inspection.
Several lawmakers have backed the bill, including Representative Brianna Titone, Representative Leslie Smith, Senator Dylan Roberts, and Senator Marc Catlin.
According to an analysis, there were only 17 citations per year issued over the last three fiscal years relating to muffler violations.
However, the complaints about noisy streets and loud drivers have become a constant issue for Colorado residents.
Lawmakers said they are hearing more and more concerns about the noise level increasing in constituents’ mountain communities.
“A lot of people I talked to said, ‘I like to have my windows open in the morning, I like the fresh air at night, and then I hear these trucks coming down the highway at 5 in the morning and it wakes me up,” said Titone.
Not all cars have mufflers, even though they are very common and often legally required.
Most cars already possess the key feature, while some vehicles, especially those with more complex exhaust systems or certain types of engines, may have a resonator instead of a muffler or a combination of both.
Titone argued that noise pollution can be detrimental to residents, causing serious health concerns like irregular sleep patterns, hearing loss, and stress.
“That’s not what we’re trying to promote for our communities,” Titone said.
What is a muffler?
A car muffler is a part of the vehicle’s exhaust system that reduces engine noise. It also helps to regulate exhaust back pressure and can help cool down exhaust gases.
Mufflers are typically located under a car, typically at the back of the exhaust system, just before the tailpipe.
Not all cars have mufflers, although it’s very common and often legally required. While most cars have a muffler, some vehicles, especially those with more complex exhaust systems or certain types of engines, could have a resonator instead of a muffler or a combination of both. Some older or modified vehicles may not have a muffler at all.
In many jurisdictions, including the United States, drivers cannot operate a vehicle without a muffler or with a modified muffler that exceeds noise limits.
“We want safe, peaceful communities and this (bill) is what’s going to help get us there.”
Under the proposed bill, violators who install the noise-reduction feature within 30 days of being issued a citation can reduce their penalty to $500.
“We’re not trying to just fine everybody, we want to actually solve the problem,” Titone said,
“…and by having a stiffer fine, maybe we can incentivize people to say, ‘I can’t keep getting $1,000 fines every time I get caught.’”
Some vehicles, like farm vehicles, will be exempt from the requirements, as suggested by House lawmakers.
The bill still needs to pass the Senate, but if it’s signed into law, it would go into effect in July 2027.