Connecticut Targets Noisy Mufflers, Tests Solar Noise Barriers

0:00Connecticut lawmakers are dropping House Bill 5462 to hit back at drivers with souped-up mufflers blasting excessive noise. The Bill ramps up fines for vehicles making unusual racket from modified exhausts and kicks off a pilot program slapping solar panels on highway sound, barriers. Those panels could cut noise by 10 to 15 decibels while cranking out clean energy. Earlier this month the state's transportation and environment committees heard the pitch at a public session. Lawmakers agree it's time to quiet things down, especially since noise pollution messes with wildlife, big-time disrupting breeding, rearing young, and even pushing some species toward extinction per experts. Folks are feeling it too. Windows rattling from roaring cars, conversations drowned out. Rep Joseph Gresco nailed it, saying there's zero real reason for aftermarket mods that make exhausts pop like gunshots. Connecticut already greenlit noise cameras in towns back in 2024, triggering at 80 decibels or

1:00louder, but most spots are still just. Planning? No action yet. Enforcement's the weak link though, cops lack decibel meters and cruisers. Gresco wants to mimic New York's sleep act from 2021, which slaps up to $1,000 fines on illegal mods and shops doing the work. Meanwhile, the Bill tests the dot with testing one to three solar setups on existing barriers for cost and green perks. Other states like California, Texas and Florida are already road testing these solar noise walls so Connecticut's pilot could light the way forward. For quieter roads and smarter energy. Hartford News today, powered by AI bringing you what matters. I'm Cory with the story.