2011 Connecticut Code
Title 14 Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway By Vehicles. Gasoline
Chapter 246 Motor Vehicles
Sec. 14-80a. Maximum noise levels.

      Sec. 14-80a. Maximum noise levels. (a) No person shall operate a vehicle or combination of vehicles, nor shall the owner of any vehicle allow the vehicle to be operated, at any time or under any condition of grade, surface, speed, load, acceleration, deceleration or weather condition in such a manner as to exceed the decibel levels established under subsection (c) of this section. This subsection applies to the total noise generated by a vehicle and shall not be construed as limiting or precluding the enforcement of any other motor vehicle noise provisions of this title.

      (b) No person shall sell or offer for sale a new vehicle which produces a maximum decibel level which exceeds the decibel levels established under subsection (c) of this section.

      (c) The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall, with the advice of the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 establishing the maximum decibel levels permissible for motor vehicles, which shall not exceed the maximum decibel levels established for motor vehicles by federal law or regulation. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall establish the procedure for checking maximum decibel levels. The decibel level shall be measured fifty feet from the centerline of the vehicle. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may provide for measuring at distances closer than fifty feet from the centerline of the vehicle. In such a case, the measuring devices shall be calibrated to provide for measurements equivalent to the noise limit established by this section measured at fifty feet.

      (d) Violation of the provisions of this section shall be an infraction.

      (1971, P.A. 762, S. 1-3; 1972, P.A. 133, S. 1; 294, S. 41; P.A. 75-577, S. 67, 126; P.A. 77-80; P.A. 84-429, S. 29.)

      History: 1972 acts added definition of "dB(A)" in Subsec. (a) and replaced "(26)" with "(56)" of Sec. 14-1 in definition of "vehicle", made provisions of Subsec. (b) applicable as of January 1, 1973, inserted new (c) re sales on or after January 1, 1975, redesignated former Subsec. (c) as Subsec. (d) and amplified provisions, also replacing health commissioner with commissioner of environmental protection and added Subsec. (e) incorporating penalty provision formerly found in Subsec. (b); P.A. 75-577 replaced provision re fine for violation with provision that violation is an infraction in Subsec. (e); P.A. 77-80 deleted definition of "dB(A)" in Subsec. (a) and replaced specific provisions re maximum decibel levels allowed in certain years in Subsec. (d) with reference to maximum levels "established for motor vehicles by federal law or regulation"; P.A. 84-429 deleted obsolete date provisions, rephrased provisions, relettered Subsecs. and made other technical changes.