INNOVATIVE noise cameras to crack down on Bradford’s engine-revving boy racers are now up – and here’s what they look like.

Earlier this week, it was announced the noise-detecting cameras would be deployed in the Fell Lane area of Keighley.

It means if drivers break the law by revving their engines unnecessarily, or using illegal exhausts, they will automatically be detected.

How will noise cameras in the Bradford district work?

The new technology uses a video camera in conjunction with a number of microphones to accurately pinpoint excessively noisy vehicles as they pass by.

This means that if drivers break the law by revving their engines unnecessarily or using illegal exhausts, they will be automatically detected. 

The camera takes a picture of the vehicle and records the noise level to create a digital package of evidence that can be used by local police to fine drivers.

Why is road noise so dangerous?

Road noise is known to contribute to health problems, such as heart attacks, strokes and dementia, and the annual social cost of urban road noise, including lost productivity from sleep disturbance and health costs is estimated to be up to £10 billion.

In 2018, a health impact study for Bradford looked into “socioeconomic inequalities in urban and transport planning related exposures and mortality”.

In the study, academics said: “A larger number of deaths (i.e. 253 and 145, respectively) could be prevented by reducing air and noise pollution levels well below the guidelines.”

Gloria Elliott OBE, Noise Abatement Society chief executive, said: “Excessively noisy vehicles and anti-social driving causes disturbance, stress, anxiety and pain to many. It is unsafe and disrupts the environment and people’s peaceful enjoyment of their homes and public places.

“Communities across the UK are increasingly suffering from this entirely avoidable blight. The Noise Abatement Society applauds rigorous, effective, evidence-based solutions to address this issue and protect the public.”

What has been said about the noise camera trial in Bradford?

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, portfolio holder for regeneration, planning and transport said: “I am delighted that Bradford have managed to secure the trial of noise cameras. Anti-social driving causes real upset and harm. People should not have to put up with excessively noisy vehicles in their communities.

“We welcome the development of technology that could, in the future, help identify drivers who wilfully ignore noise laws and allow enforcement action to be taken against them.

“Hopefully the data collected in the trial goes some way to providing proper legislative governance for a wider UK roll out of the technology.”