A bill that would make it illegal to modify a car’s muffler to make it louder has been approved by the state Senate Transportation Committee.
Sens. James Holzapfel (R-Ocean) and Patrick Diegnan (D-Middlesex) are the sponsors of Senate Bill S-507, which was introduced in January. The bill was OK’d by the Transportation Committee on Sept. 30 by a 6-0 vote.
The legislation provides for a $500 fine for “the installation or modification of the muffler or exhaust system” to make the sound of the motor vehicle louder than when the muffler was originally installed. Current laws only permit a $25 fine for excessive noise.
The bill also would make it illegal to sell a muffler designed to amplify the noise emitted by a vehicle. In addition to the fine, violators would face up to 30 days in jail for each violation.
Under the bill, the chief administrator of the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission may deny, suspend, revoke or refuse to renew a private inspection facility’s license if the facility, on more than one occasion within a period of 18 months, is found to install or modify the exhaust system of a vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions; install or modify the muffler of a vehicle in violation of the bill’s provisions; or improperly inspect a vehicle for excessive or unusual noise of the muffler or exhaust system.
The facility also faces a $500 fine under the legislation.
A Spouter had posed the question of whether the state had a muffler law.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
