Did you get a BS intake/exhaust ticket lately? READ THIS!!

[JoeyGST]

Attention California SEMA Action Network Contact -

SEMA is looking for hobbyists who have received recent tickets under
California's modified exhaust noise law for a study we are conducting
regarding whether the law is being applied fairly by the state's police
officers. In other words, are legal modified exhaust systems being
unfairly ticketed for exceeding the 95-decibel noise limit.

If you, or any of your friends, club members, or acquaintances have
received such a citation, please contact us by return e-mail or give Steve
McDonald or Brian Caudill a call at 202-783-6007.

Due to time constraints, we need this information as quickly as possible.
Please don't delay.

Brian Caudill
SEMA Action Network

------------------------------------------------------

So basically, if you've been pulled over recently by a
cop and they wrote you up for your 50-state legal exhaust,
let SEMA know. Prolly get to be part of a lawsuit...

-JoeyGST

[Brian Caudill]

You're close...

SEMA is trying to do some independent testing of LEGAL aftermarket exhaust systems that have been issued tickets for excessive noise under California's 95 db exhaust noise law.

If we get some solid proof that the police are improperly enforcing the law (or are unclear as to what the law is) we will attempt to take appropriate steps to change the law.
Questions we would need answered include -

1) When did you receive your ticket?

2) What was the specific Vehicle Code (VC) violation (for example VC 27151)? Was your car cited for any other violations? If possible, please fax a copy of your citation to us at 202-783-6024.

3) What type of exhaust system were you cited for and do you currently have the same system? (If you know your exhaust is illegal - straight pipes, CAT removed, etc.- please do not respond).

4) Where do you live - city, SoCal, NorCal, etc?

5) When is your upcoming court date for the exhaust noise ticket?

6) Would you be willing to have your car tested independently to prove that it is in compliance with California law?

If you, or any of your friends, club members, or acquaintances have received such a citation, and can answer these questions, please contact either Brian Caudill (brianc@sema.org) or Steve McDonald (stevemac@sema.org).

Due to time constraints, we need this information ASAP. Please don't delay.

Brian Caudill
SEMA Action Network

[sjpopo]

Brian,

Good luck in collecting your info. I wonder, however, if it might be in vain.

Officers can give tickets based upon their professinal judgement. This means that if I believe - using my professional judgement - that the exhaust noise from a vehicle is a nuisance, then I can write a ticket for it.

The testing process laid out by the CVC is pretty weak. The nuisance level of noise frequently is caused by vehicles during acceleration, not while traveling at speed on level ground.

Drive safe,

Ofc. Hoyt
SJPD

[Brian Caudill]

Ofc Hoyt -

Nothing ventured. Nothing gained.

There is certainly evidence that the law is inconsistently enforced. This does the enthusiast community no good becasue they feel they are equipping their cars legally with legal products.

It does the enforcement community no good because they are saddled with an unclear enforcement mechanism that only leads to more questions and animosity from hobbyists who feel they have been improperly cited.

We'll see how it plays out.

Thanks,

Brian Caudill
brianc@sema.org

[sjpopo]

Sounds good. Sounds like a good solution would be a performance enhancing exhaust that is quieter than a stock exhaust.

Drive safe,

Ofc. Hoyt
SJPD

[BE9]

Originally posted by sjpopo
Brian,

Good luck in collecting your info. I wonder, however, if it might be in vain.

Officers can give tickets based upon their professinal judgement. This means that if I believe - using my professional judgement - that the exhaust noise from a vehicle is a nuisance, then I can write a ticket for it.


Drive safe,

Ofc. Hoyt
SJPD

I have experienced CHP's and Fremont pupu's "professional" judgement. It seemed like they based on their professional judgement on visual rather than actual sound.

Quote from CHP & Freakmont Pupu "If you have problems, take it to CA legislation or the Judge."

[GolfTT]

I have to agree that most officers go after flashy looking exhausts vs loud ones. I originally had a flowmaster on my wife's Integra. Thet muffler was loud as hell but didn't really show. During the 2+ years we had it on we never got bothered about it. Then I wanted somethig quiet so we installed a Greddy exhaust. The Greddy exhaust is legally quiet but very flashy. (big polished cannister) On several occasions we have been harrassed about the exhaust, one time the car wasn't even running. I would understand being pulled over for it at the races but we stopped taking that car out to the illegals. It's really annoying having to worry about cops when you go to the store to get milk even though you are in a perfectly legal car.

Tim

[tbkonwso]

Originally posted by GolfTT
I have to agree that most officers go after flashy looking exhausts vs loud ones. I originally had a flowmaster on my wife's Integra. Thet muffler was loud as hell but didn't really show. During the 2+ years we had it on we never got bothered about it. Then I wanted somethig quiet so we installed a Greddy exhaust. The Greddy exhaust is legally quiet but very flashy. (big polished cannister) On several occasions we have been harrassed about the exhaust, one time the car wasn't even running. I would understand being pulled over for it at the races but we stopped taking that car out to the illegals. It's really annoying having to worry about cops when you go to the store to get milk even though you are in a perfectly legal car.

Tim

damn bro i feel you i live in fremont my car is perfectly legal (intake exhaust wit state refree certified paper) i get scared that they will just pull me over for inspection and always find something wrong and i get really paranoids. .its caused lots of emotional stress on me. and sometimes i cant even pay attention to whats around me.

[VehementGSR]

I got ticketed recently for having a Greddy Evo. I talked to the CHP officer and told him that it was 50 state legal. He said that it didn't matter and that it was a violation for having a modified exhaust and that it was sound disturbance. I wanted to take up the issue with the judge if it came down to that. But doing that I wanted to be prepared. To get the papers stating that my exhaust is legal, would I have to write Greddy directly or would I be able to get the certification from the performance shop?
I'm going to try both methods, but any info would be greatly appreciated and helpful from anyone. Thanks.

[GolfTT]

Don't have the number in front of me, just go to their web site and get their number. (www.greddy.com) All they need you to do is fax them your receipt from when you purchased it and they will send you the legal info. Greddy has to be one of the better companies I have dealt with.

Tim

[98 Cavy]

Originally posted by VehementGSR
I got ticketed recently for having a Greddy Evo. I talked to the CHP officer and told him that it was 50 state legal. He said that it didn't matter and that it was a violation for having a modified exhaust and that it was sound disturbance. I wanted to take up the issue with the judge if it came down to that. But doing that I wanted to be prepared. To get the papers stating that my exhaust is legal, would I have to write Greddy directly or would I be able to get the certification from the performance shop?
I'm going to try both methods, but any info would be greatly appreciated and helpful from anyone. Thanks.

it costs like $40 to go to the state ref but it might be
worth it, I think it'd look a lot better in court. My bro
got a ticket for exhaust, showed the judge the state ref
papers, judge dismissed the charges immediately. I think
there are only a couple state refs though may not be one
close to your area. I know there's one in Stockton. I say
get it done and make the cop look really dumb in court.
=)

-98 Cavy's bro (damn I'm sick of postin under this name
time to get my own)

[JoeyGST]

GolfTT: I dunno why Greddy treated you with good customer
service, but when I called them they were transferring me
around from person to person. Then finally I got an
answer from a "tech" and he told me that "Greddy doesn't
deal with customers personally, we only deal with
distributors". So he basically told me I'm shit outta
luck, and to take the issue up with the shop I bought the
exhaust from.

Anywho, I finally got the papers, I went to the shop and
they had a distributor fax over the 50-state legal papers.
I took it to court and everything was dismissed.

-JoeyGST