The state of New Jersey has yet to adopt the SAE 95 db limit. But currently there is a bill being passed..
Show your support of this bill and support of our right to our hobby contact Assemblyman Gordon and members of the New Jersey Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee immediately by phone at (609) 292-5135 or e-mail to request their support of the 95-decibel limit under SAE J1169.
Moderators Please make this a sticky and people please spread the word around to other auto forums in NJ.
Legislation to Establish Exhaust Noise Limit Introduced in New Jersey; to be Considered by Assembly Committee - January 2005
URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Legislation to Establish Exhaust Noise Limit Introduced in New Jersey; to be Considered by Assembly Committee
Legislation (A.B. 3738) that would require the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to prescribe a decibel limit to which all aftermarket mufflers sold in the state would have to be certified to operate has been introduced in the New Jersey State Legislature. The bill, introduced By Assemblyman Robert Gordon, gives no instruction as to what the decibel limit should be.
In some states, noise limits for modified exhaust systems are established by a SEMA model bill (attached) and applicable to an easy to administer test standard. The SEMA model provides for the testing of vehicle exhaust noise to a standard adopted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) with an established noise limit of 95-decibels (SAE J1169). Under the SAE standard, a sound meter is placed 20 inches from the exhaust outlet at a 45-degree angle and the engine is revved to three quarters of maximum rated horsepower. The highest decibel reading is then recorded.
To date, with the popular support of vehicle enthusiasts and related businesses, the model has been enacted in California, Washington State and Maine. This year, the SEMA model was introduced in Virginia.
Contact members of the New Jersey Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee (List to Follow) to request their support for a 95-decibel limit under SAE J1169
The SEMA model removes subjective provisions in the law and force compliance with an objectively measured standard. Under the standard, exhaust noise could not exceed a sound reading of 95-decibels under a fair and predictable test.
The SEMA model would benefit consumers, the aftermarket industry and police officers who are charged with enforcing the law.
The SEMA model would remedy the enforcement policy currently used by police officers in which nearly all exhaust system modifications are considered illegal, even where noise levels are not excessive or unusual. This policy leaves enthusiasts, exhaust system manufacturers and dealers without recourse, despite having the law on their side.
The SEMA model recognizes that aftermarket exhaust systems are designed to make vehicles run more efficiently without increasing emissions.
The SEMA model removes authority for the calculation of a decibel limit from state regulators and puts it back in the hands of your elected representatives.
DON’T DELAY! Please contact Assemblyman Gordon and members of the New Jersey Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee immediately by phone at (609) 292-5135 or e-mail to request their support of the 95-decibel limit under SAE J1169.
NJ Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee
John F. McKeon
Email:
asmmckeon@njleg.org
Michael J. Panter (District 12 - Colts Neck Township)
Email: Legislative Contact Service
Larry Chatzidakis
Email:
AsmChatzidakis@njleg.org
Robert M. Gordon (District 38 - Cliffside Park Borough)
Email: Legislative Contact Service
Reed Gusciora
Email:
reednj15@aol.com
Louis Manzo (District 31 - Bayonne City)
Email: Legislative Contact Service
John E. Rooney
Email:
AsmRooney@njleg.org
PROPOSED AMENDMENT (changes in [brackets])
*** THIS DOCUMENT IS CURRENT THROUGH P.L. 2002 CH. 62, 8/6/2002 ***
*** NOVEMBER 8, 2002 ANNOTATION SERVICE ***
TITLE 39. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC REGULATION
SUBTITLE 1. MOTOR VEHICLES GENERALLY; TRAFFIC LAWS
CHAPTER 3. MOTOR VEHICLES GENERALLY
ARTICLE 3. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATION
GO TO CODE ARCHIVE DIRECTORY FOR THIS JURISDICTION
N.J. Stat. @ 39:3-70 (2002)
@ 39:3-70. [Mufflers]
Every motor vehicle having a combustion motor shall at all times be equipped
with a [muffler] in good working order and in constant operation to prevent
[excessive or unusual noise and] annoying smoke, AND NO PERSON SHALL MODIFY THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OF A MOTOR VEHICLE IN A MANNER SO THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM EMITS IN EXCESS OF NINETY-FIVE DECIBELS AS MEASURED BY THE SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS (SAE) STANDARD J1169 (May 1998). IT SHALL NOT BE A VIOLATION OF THIS SUBSECTION UNLESS PROVEN BY PROPER AUTHORITIES THAT THE EXHAUST SYTEM MODIFICATION RESULTS IN NOISE AMPLIFICATION IN EXCESS OF NINETY-FIVE DECIBELS UNDER THE PRESCRIBED SAE TEST STANDARD.
A COURT MAY DISMISS ANY ACTION FOR WHICH A PERSON IS PROSECUTED FOR OPERATING A VEHICLE IN VIOLATION OF THIS SUBSECTION IF IT IS FOUND THAT THE DEFENDANT HAD REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OPERATED IN VIOLATION OF THIS SUBSECTION.
[and] n No person shall use a [muffler] cut-out, bypass or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway.
