‘Just when you think it’s safe to be a jerk on the roadway…”

Motorists in many cities have grown accustomed to the likelihood of having their license plate photographed if they exceed the posted speed limit and/or run a red light.

(Sadly, other motorists are shocked – shocked, I tell you – every single time they receive a citation. It’s like we have goldfish behind the wheel of a hot rod! But I digress.)

Now New York City and other municipalities are experimenting with noise cameras (sometimes referred to as “acoustic cameras”) that spring into revenue-generating action if vehicles exceed a certain decibel level.

Government officials are working the technology into their budgets because (a) noise pollution can disrupt sleep patterns and cause permanent hearing loss and (b) they have been underwhelmed by alternative programs, such as having bands of off-duty librarians riding in the back of a ’74 El Camino, shushing........

© Yuma Sun