Have you ever had a friend’s reunion in a carpool? It is exciting talking about fun stuff, and everyone knows that good music is always the way to brace the moment.
Regardless of the music genre, low-volume music doesn’t hit as hard as loud music, especially when you want to carpool karaoke.
You might be having a good time blasting your music, but have you ever considered its harm?
Firstly, you may be bothering the people outside, and you might get your engine seized by the traffic authorities.
In the United States, there are no specific laws that limit people from driving with loud music.
However, state laws and city ordinances deal with cases of loud noise and music.
For instance, section 415 of the California Penal Code states that it is unlawful to disturb the peace of another with an unreasonable loud noise that could apply to music. Even though you might get away with loud music in your car, consider playing it at a volume that does not make you lose focus.
Loud music can be a nuisance to the people around you, and they may file complaints that may get you pulled over. Below is a detailed guide on whether it’s illegal to play loud music in a car.
Is It Illegal to Play Loud Music in a Car?
The laws on loud music differ from country to country. There might be no specified national laws, but each state has its own specifications on illegal volume levels.
This section will explain the noise regulations for cars in the US and the UK.
The United States
There are no clear-cut laws on driving with loud music in a car in the United States. However, check your state legislature to find the laws that apply to you.
The state legislature of your region determines whether it is or it is not illegal to play loud music in a car.
Florida
In Florida, the music in your car should not be audible from more than 25 feet away. The law falls under the “operation of sound-making devices in vehicles.”
It states that it is illegal for any driver to amplify the volume of their musical devices (radio, tape recorder, or any other mechanical sound-making device) so that it can be heard plainly at 25 feet or more from the vehicle.
The law also states that it is illegal for you to play music at a higher volume than what you require to hear around facilities like hospitals, churches, and schools.
However, the Florida Supreme Court eased the restrictions, and the reason was not to interfere with people’s freedom of expression.
That is pretty much it.
Other States
The regulations in New York are more comprehensive, and they state that music that is 15dB+ above the ambient sound when measured at a distance of 15 feet is not allowed.
In California, the restrictions are fewer and allow for music audible to a person standing 50 feet away.
There are exemptions to this rule, like police and emergency vehicles classified as political and business vehicles. Sadly, they may be annoying sometimes; you cannot report them.
California rules also include honking, whereby the driver is only supposed to honk when reasonably necessary for safe operations. Otherwise, it is illegal to honk, except if used as the car’s theft alarm system.
The US regulations on noise have narrowed down to intent. Only the people who intentionally play loud music for disruption and do not heed warnings can face traffic violations.
You can look up the regulations in your state by searching “car stereo regulation state.”
It may be difficult for you to determine the feet stated in the laws, and if you are pulled over, turn your music down a bit to avoid facing a violation.
The United Kingdom
There are no defined rules against playing loud music in the UK.
The officer handling the report have the final call in such cases.
You should know that there are no direct laws that illegalize loud music in vehicles. However, if the people around deem it a distraction, it could cost you a £100 fine. Three points will also be added to your driver’s license as stated in rule 148 of the Highway Code.
If your local council finds you playing loud music while your car is stationary in a residential area, you can face the law.
The authorities cannot charge you for a one-time occurrence, but you will be in trouble if you do it regularly.
Playing loud music in your car is not illegal in the UK, but if the police witness that the sound disrupts the people, they will intervene.
Can You Get Pulled Over for Loud Music?
You can get pulled over if your music is too loud because you will be disturbing other people’s peace. However, the worst thing is that playing loud music in a quiet neighborhood could get you a warning.
Loud noises and disturbance ordinances are more defined at night in most areas. During the day, the laws are somewhat vague.
They also include some catch-all language to cover daytime noise problems because it is impossible to specify every noise nuisance.
The statement usually reads: “Unless otherwise addressed by this Chapter, no person shall permit, operate, or cause any source of sound or sound generation to create a sound which exceeds the limits outlined in the following table titled ‘Maximum Sound Levels’ […].”
The lack of specifications makes the law applicable to noise, including barking dogs and industrial equipment.
The last part is exempted from accommodating the different state laws relating to loud noise.
Circumstances under which the cops can pull you over
- If someone has filed a complaint about loud music from your vehicle and has included its description.
- The police officer feels that the music is too loud considering the specified noise guidelines.
- If you are cooperative and polite, you are unlikely to get a ticket for a noise violation. This is because daytime restrictions on noise are based on decibel measurements, and no cop walks with a decibel meter.
Reasons why the cops can pull you over
- To address a filed complaint, if there was one.
- Because they need to sensitize you on the law and make sure you are aware.
- For confirmation, ensure that you are not breaking any other laws.
- Many serious crimes are discovered when someone is pulled over for a minor offense.
What to Consider When Playing Loud Music in a Car
Here are some things you should consider when playing loud music and you don’t want to get in trouble.
Close the windows: Closing the windows of your car significantly reduces the volume outside of it.
Ensure you can hear audio cues: If you want to play loud music in a car, consider listening to volumes that allow you to hear audio cues like horns and sirens.
Do not drive or park in residential areas: Playing loud music in residential areas is like calling for an arrest because people will file noise complaints.
Lower the volume when driving through or parking in these areas to avoid trouble.
Dangers of Playing Loud Music in a Car
You may have made it a habit to listen to loud music when driving. Maybe it makes you feel good because it can reduce the anxieties related to driving, especially in heavy traffic.
Turning the radio on and listening to your favorite station will elevate your driving experience, but you should know its dangers.
Loud Music is Distracting
Most people like to connect their favorite iTunes playlist when driving. As pleasurable as it may be, you may get absorbed in the song’s melody and lose focus.
Studies indicate that driving with loud music can be life-endangering, especially if it is a familiar song. This is because drivers find themselves increasing their driving speed to match the song’s beats.
You may also want to change the station on the radio, or change the CD, so you will keep fumbling with your CD case or the radio button, and your eyes will no longer be on the road.
Loud music can also cost your life if you swerve into oncoming traffic.
You should know that not every driver is as good as you, and sometimes people lose control over their cars.
Your eyes have to be on the road to avoid such cars to be safe.
These distractions endanger your life because they can cause accidents.
It would help if you considered playing unfamiliar music, so you do not get caught up with singing along or dancing to the beats.
The other solution is having someone on the front seat when driving would be great because they can be your DJ.
The bottom line is, no matter the song, keep the volume down to avoid getting distracted.
Also, drivers’ education has advanced over the years, and before you are confident enough to drive with loud music, ensure you learn its dangers.
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You can Miss Audio Cues
Listening to a song that you like can get you caught up singing along or even dancing, so you do not hear audio cues around you such as horns, sirens, and even visual cues such as car indicators.
Concentrating so much on the lyrics of a song can make you miss traffic lights, and you know the consequences of that.
Young drivers love to listen to music when driving, and most times, it distracts them and makes them lose focus of the road.
Parents of teens and new drivers should coach them and teach them the dos and don’ts while driving.
Parents should continuously sensitize their children on the dangers of driving with loud music.
Your child may feel invincible in that they believe they will never be involved in an accident, but this assumption is often inaccurate.
If you want to listen to loud music, you can because it is not illegal, but I would advise you to do it when you are driving slowly to prevent accidents by missing any traffic cues.
Results Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Loud music is exciting and fun, but when you listen to music at a volume of 90 decibels and above, you are susceptible to losing hearing. Music that loud can damage your eardrums.
It starts as temporary hearing issues that eventually lead to total hearing loss.
It would suck if you damaged your ears because of playing your favorite song on very high volumes.
If you want loud music, I recommend listening in volumes less than 80dBs that will not hurt your ears.
On Is it Illegal to Play Loud Music in a Car
So, is it illegal to play loud music in a car? Driving with loud music in the US and UK is not illegal but can get you in trouble in some circumstances.
Police cars and emergency vehicles are some of the vehicles exempted from the noise restrictions. These vehicles operate using loud noises such as sirens.
Here are some clues if you are playing loud music and don’t want to get in trouble.
- Close your windows,
- Make sure you can hear audio cues.
- Do not drive or park in residential areas.
- Some dangers of loud music are that it distracts you, makes you miss audio cues, and makes you lose hearing.
- Driver education is important, don’t ignore it.
- Plus, be polite to the police when a police officer pulls you over if you don’t want to get a ticket.
References:
- https://www.stimmel-law.com/en/articles/law-noise-protection-california
- https://www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/fuel-consumption-co2/fuel-consumption-guide/cars-and-noise/
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.