Wednesday 24 May 2017
Hansard of the Legislative Council

Launceston - Excessive Noise Penalties - Motor Cycles

Mr FINCH (Rosevears) to ACTING LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

[2.39 p.m.]

With continuing concern in the Launceston community about excessive noise from motorcycles, can the Government indicate how many penalties have been issued in the past 12 months for this offence?

ANSWER

I thank the honourable member for his question. 

There are no specific offences that relate exclusively to motorcycles.  Instead, motorcycles are covered by offences which relate to any type of vehicle.  Police have a range of options available to them for addressing noisy vehicles.  The options include issuing vehicles with defect notices which require the vehicle to be assessed by Transport Tasmania or issuing infringement notices relating to the creation of unreasonable or unnecessary noise.

In the northern police district during the 12-month period to 31 March 2017, there were:

• three offences of 'Drive a vehicle in a way that made unnecessary noise';
  
  
• eight offences of 'Operate vehicle in a public place making unnecessary/unreasonable noise';
  
  
• one offence of 'Use vehicle in contravention of vehicle standards - requirements for exhaust system';
  
  
• 14 infringements or cautions for 'Start vehicle or drive causing unnecessary noise/smoke';
  
  
• ONE infringement/caution for 'Use or cause/permit use of light motor vehicle in contravention of vehicle standards - exhaust system requirements'.