Utah considering law that bans after-market exhausts.

[jteckmann]

looks to be of interest to us jeepers and off-roaders.

 

Sounds like the intent of the law was to go after all the ricers with the loud fart-cans (why they have to draft an entirely new law, rather than enforce existing noise ordinances, I don't know - typical :roll: ). The bill under consideration is vague and poorly worded. It states that all vehicles on the road must have an exhaust that is “installed by the original manufacturer of the vehicle and is not modified; or meets specifications equivalent to the muffler installed by the original manufacturer of the vehicle and is not modified.” The bill has no provision for vehicles like ours where the OEM is out of business or many parts have been discontinued. And the bill provides no clear rules or standards as to what counts as "modified", and therefore leaves it up to the individual officer's interpretation and discretion. So if you're driving down the road with headers and a Flowmaster, and you get pulled over, you could get possibly get a ticket.

 

Here's a link to the SEMA page on the proposed law, with further details and information on how to contact Utah legislators to give them your opinion:

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62705

[whowey]

looks to be of interest to us jeepers and off-roaders.

 

Sounds like the intent of the law was to go after all the ricers with the loud fart-cans (why they have to draft an entirely new law, rather than enforce existing noise ordinances, I don't know - typical :roll: ). The bill under consideration is vague and poorly worded. It states that all vehicles on the road must have an exhaust that is “installed by the original manufacturer of the vehicle and is not modified; or meets specifications equivalent to the muffler installed by the original manufacturer of the vehicle and is not modified.” The bill has no provision for vehicles like ours where the OEM is out of business or many parts have been discontinued. And the bill provides no clear rules or standards as to what counts as "modified", and therefore leaves it up to the individual officer's interpretation and discretion. So if you're driving down the road with headers and a Flowmaster, and you get pulled over, you could get possibly get a ticket.

 

Here's a link to the SEMA page on the proposed law, with further details and information on how to contact Utah legislators to give them your opinion:

http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62705

 

 

Actually it does cover vehicles like ours where the OE parts are no longer available...

or meets specifications equivalent to the muffler installed by the original manufacturer

 

Ever seen a set of muffler specs in an FSM???

[DJM/78]

They tried that out here as well a couple of years back , it didn't work because the state spent more money converting all the

HD cruiser bikes back to stock from the screaming eagle kits they came with .... :nuts:

 

Also all the regulations took a huge chunk out of the federal budget . So it wasn't effective at making money and they dropped it .

[jteckmann]

Actually it does cover vehicles like ours where the OE parts are no longer available...

or meets specifications equivalent to the muffler installed by the original manufacturer

 

Ever seen a set of muffler specs in an FSM???

 

Key words being "equivalent" and "not modified". They're not defined in the bill, and left open to interpretation. Say you have a truck where you've increased the exhaust up to 2.5", aftermarket muffler, and the dumpout right behind the muffler or before the axle. Even if it's noise and emissions compliant, my understanding is that it could still get you a ticket as a "modified exhaust" under this version of the bill. And if you get pulled over, and the officer doesn't happen to like your setup, how far do you think you'll get trying to argue the FSM with him?

 

Regardless of whether I agree/disagree with the intent of the law, I think the current version they are proposing is worded very poorly. Lots of potential for misinterpretation or abuse. At the very least it should be drafted more clearly.

[Pete M]

wouldn't it be easier to just have a decibel limit? :dunno:

[DJM/78]

wouldn't it be easier to just have a decibel limit? :dunno:

 

That would be too easy .. :rotf:

 

Besides then they can charge allot more money for modified or altered exhausts than they can a noise ordinance .

 

Also some states and local law enforcement can impound your vehicle and make even more money .

 

It works until a state law maker or judge gets a pipe ticket and throws a fit .

 

Thats what happened up here anyway . :rotfl2:

[dunl]

So simply get someone from your local press to ask the government what it will cost to convert THEIR vehicles.

[Unglar]

here's the link to the Bill: http://le.utah.gov/~2010/htmdoc/sbillhtm/SB0106S01.htm

 

I emailed my Senator, however, I doubt he even reads the emails.