Buffalo Proposes Car Stereo Ban

I own an SUV and a convertible, and since I'm a bit of an audiophile, I've outfitted both of them with upgraded sound systems — primarily, better speakers and better amplification. Turns out I could be breaking the law if I ever drive through Buffalo, New York, a city that is considering outlawing after-market car stereos in an effort to fight noise pollution.

There are so many things wrong with the proposal, it's hard to know where to start.

• Presumably, Buffalo, like other municipalities, already has ordinances against excessive noise and disturbing the peace. The new measure is unnecessary but has the political benefit of the City Council bravely seeming to crack down on quality-of-life threats.
• Factory-installed sound systems, some of which are powerful enough to operate at thumping volume levels, would be exempt from the new ordinance, for no good reason.
• While driving, I never play my music ear-splittingly loud. Why would I be penalized for something I could do but don't?
• How will the driving public be informed? Will there be signs at Buffalo's city limits, warning visitors that after-market stereos are against the law?
• What about enforcement? From a quick glance at my cars' interiors, you would never know I had the upgrades installed. The replacement speakers are hidden behind factory grilles, and the amplifiers are screwed down in unobtrusive, practically invisible places. Will cops get to search my vehicles — and remove my speaker grilles — if they suspect I may have an after-market sound system?
• How would you like to be a car stereo retailer or installer in the Buffalo area and have your livelihood destroyed by your local City Council?

[via the Newspaper]

Comments

[Martin Owens]

I understand the concern-

but in this case I also understand the provocation.

Here in California I have driven behind cars and SUVs whose sound ( especially low freq sound like subwoofers) was soo loud MY car shook- at over 60 mph on the freeway! When they drive down my street all the doors and windows on the block rattle.

I believe in everybody's right to do pretty much whatever they like with their property- but it can reach a point where the guy is practicing sonic aggression- simply out to annoy as many people as possible to prove what a bad-ass gangbanger he is. And when you convert your car to a self-propelled ghetto blaster I think the point is reached.