Aftermarket Exhaust and New Rules

[Slim]

Originally posted by wkid_one
Does anyone know of any hearing impaired VTNZ agents in the lower North Island?

That was one of the points I made in my submission: are all VTNZ inspectors going to have 6-monthly or annual hearing tests to confirm they are qualified to do the exhaust testing???

[Motu]

Hearing loss is just part of the job description for motor mechanics - my hearing is severely impared,the only time I've ever worn ear protection was when I worked on stationary diesels - compressors and the like.Test the hearing of every wof tester and I would expect them to be well below the national average.

[Coldkiwi]

from  the herald story...

Mr Knight added the car noise restrictions had been in place since 1976, and were not new legislation under the Land Transport (Street and Illegal Drag Racing) Amendment Act - more commonly known as the Boy Racer Act.

These idiots still don't know their arse from their elbow! the regulations ARE NOT THE SAME!! The new proposed limits are VERY different with no scientific basis for a claim that they have been in place since 1976!! (Trust me Mr Riley, I am qualified to comment (is this a Kiwibiker first!? ) and have researched that point very thoroughly!)

LTSA dickheads.

I should write the herald a letter

[Slim]

Originally posted by Coldkiwi
These idiots still don't know their arse from their elbow! the regulations ARE NOT THE SAME!! The new proposed limits are VERY different with no scientific basis for a claim that they have been in place since 1976!! (Trust me Mr Riley, I am qualified to comment (is this a Kiwibiker first!? ) and have researched that point very thoroughly!)

The problem is that the 1976 Traffic Regulations have 2 different parts relating to exhaust noise: the first (which refers to the appendix re: testing methods & db levels) is how a vehicle is used and the 2nd (which the LTSA are updating in their "rule") is in regards to WoF-type fitness for use type noise.

Mr Knight was correct in pointing out that the exhaust noise is NOT part of the "Boy Racer Act", and he's also partly correct in pointing out that the 1976 Traffic Regulations (the 2nd part I've referred to) cover exhaust noise levels.

I'm just trying to find the link to the site so I can point out what I mean ...

[Slim]

Originally posted by Slim
I'm just trying to find the link to the site so I can point out what I mean ...

Here we go ...

Part 2 (Driving Rules):29 Noise (1)
(1) No person shall operate any vehicle which creates noise which, having regard to all the circumstances, is excessive. In determining whether any noise is excessive, regard may be had, in addition to all other relevant matters, to the manner of operation of the vehicle, the condition of the vehicle, the time of the day when the noise is created, the locality where the noise is created, and the likelihood of annoyance to any person.

and (2) refers to the Noise Levels & testing:
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subclause (1) of this regulation, after a date to be fixed by the [Authority] by notice in the Gazette, no person shall introduce, manufacture, or sell for first registration in New Zealand a motor vehicle the noise output of which when tested by a method approved by the Director], exceeds the levels specified in Schedule 1 to these regulations.

(3) For the purposes of subclause (2) of this regulation, the Method for the Measurement of Noise Emitted by Motor Vehicles published by the British Standards Institution, British Standard 3425, or ISO Recommendation R 362, Measurement of Noise Emitted by Vehicles, shall be deemed to be [an approved] method of test.



And the 2nd noise section that the "rule" is updating is:

Part 7(Equipment):81 Exhaust system and silencer

No person shall operate any motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, unless it is equipped with an exhaust system and a silencer which are effective and in good working order, and unless the silencer is so constructed or adapted that it is impossible to interfere readily with its operation or effectiveness at any time.

You can find the traffic regulations document at http://www.legislation.govt.nz then click on "Statutory Regulations" and use the search function, enter "Traffic Regulations 1976"

[Coldkiwi]

yes, they are part of the 1976 regs. They made sense too and were inline with what levels are allowed in other countries.

What he's saying is full bollocks. the limits they are trying to put in place now (on the rare occasion they DO actually use a meter) are so far different from the '76 regulations that it is GROSSLY misleading to imply that they are even vaguely similar. The only similarity is the use of a sound level meter.. the procedure, limits and quality control are in different dimensions.

If you're really interested, I'll send you my submission to the LTSA explaining why the new limits (and they ARE new) are all screwed up.

 

[Marmoot]

(this is exactly the point why I raise the thread. The new regulation does not have any METRIC or EXACT FIGURE to determine black and white. Any regulation that is not black and white is Gray. And Gray regulations can always be used to eat you anytime by the fuzz)

[Motu]

I do a WOF training course once a year - at one such course a couple of years ago the instructor said - the new regs are no longer written in black and white - pass/fail....they are full colour wide screen,you can interpret them any number of ways - but the most important thing is we have to be able to open our manual at page X,and point our finger at a ruling - and say this is why your vehicle fails.If what is written can be read as a fail - you fail.

[Duke of Rogan]

has anyone failed a WOF yet because of their after-market muffler or de-cored OEM can?
(possibly its written somewhere in the 12 pages of this thread )

[Big Dog]

All of this chin wagging leaves us with;
choice one, live with it,
Choice two, do something about it.
Does any one know of any petition about this subject?
Are any groups making submissions to parliment about more realistic and enforceable rules?

Im quite happy with my stockies but I value my freedom of choice.

[Big Dog]

Originally posted by Marmoot
(this is exactly the point why I raise the thread. The new regulation does not have any METRIC or EXACT FIGURE to determine black and white. Any regulation that is not black and white is Gray. And Gray regulations can always be used to eat you anytime by the fuzz)

Does this make the logic that ditates pass or fail Fuzzy Logic just because the fuzz are making the call.:confused2 :confused2

[Marmoot]

I'd be happy to sign (and get some more signatures) on any petition on that matter.

[wkid_one]

Hey Duke - go in the User CP and change the number of posted per page to 40 - reduces the pages you have to filter through.....

Just a handy hint

[wkid_one]

PS - I would sign also

[Coldkiwi]

dunno about a petition, but many people and interest groups put submissions in to the LTSA before the June 3 cut off date when the proposals were out for comment. As far as I know, they are churning through the submissions now before making a final call on it. I'm also a little unsure of the legality of enforcing the changes given that they are still 'a proposal' at this stage (hence the submissions process). I think the reason the cops are busting people for having noisy exhausts is because they THINK it is all covered by the 1976 Transport Act.

But that act doesn't talk about exhausts being louder than that fitted by the manufacturer.. only gives pass-by levels to be met in Schedule 1 and thats not the basis that they are currently using to assess and green-sticker vehicles.

basically, the cops are legally impotent on this and from what I hear of court cases getting thrown out, they are taking a pasting from the lawyers too. While sensible cops with their ear to the ground WON'T be pulling drivers over for driving sensibly with aftermarket systems on, it doesn't mean that the law changes are going to do their job and curtail boy-racer noise making activity.