It is likely hard for readers to get too excited about the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) gathering that just wrapped up last week at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
The conventions are attended by elected local government officials, including First Nation leaders, mayors, councillors and regional district directors.
The muckety-mucks, including from Squamish and the Sea to Sky, gather and share and can advocate for their communities, which is undoubtedly a positive thing; and there are resolutions that are floated and passed, but they don’t really have any teeth.
It is good to know what different local politicians are calling for, but it is kind of like the kids telling Mom and Dad they want to go to Disneyland.
That is nice, but unless Mom and Dad (the provincial government) agree, no one is going to Disneyland.
Nonetheless, issues do get to bubble to the top and can be fodder for the public to chew on and if popular, that can pressure provincial leaders into action.
One that is a “talker” (journalism speak for something folks will have opinions on) is about obnoxious noise from vehicles, like those motorbikes that are modified to be deafening.
You know when you—or your baby—are just falling asleep, or you’re engaging in a deep conversation at your favourite chill Squamish eatery, and suddenly you are startled to attention as a, for example, Harley booms by with its loud “potato-potato” sound and its louder than stock exhaust system.
No sleep for you, or junior, and the quiet of the restaurant is broken. Everyone’s heart racing a bit for a few minutes.
As noted by The Vancouver Sun, at UBCM muni leaders voted to ask the province adopt a noise camera pilot project aimed at cracking down on vehicles with noisy exhaust systems.
Think of photo radar, but for noise.
“The resolution calls for B.C. to test the cameras to see if they can capture drivers violating noise bylaws, particularly those with cars rigged with aftermarket exhaust systems—custom mufflers that are louder than factory systems, which are typically muted,” writes Tiffany Crawford, in The Sun story.
Before old-school gearheads say that this would be a “Karen” move, studies show there are real-world health implications to such noise, in particular stress on the heart.
We do have laws about this already in the Motor Vehicle Act, but as locals know, by the time you run to the window to see what jerk woke junior, the vehicle is often long gone.
These cameras would solve that problem.
Again, who knows if the provincial government will follow up on this, but if enough citizens are interested, they just might.
