How many times have you been driving peacefully – albeit very slowly – around the island only to be interrupted by some out-of-towner who thinks you want to enjoy the music he’s blasting from his bass-blaring pick-up truck? As of today, that’s against the law…
A new Florida law that kicks in today makes it unlawful for any vehicle to have their music cranked up so loud it can be heard 25 feet away. Not 20 feet or 24 feet, 25 feet away.
The new law states “It is unlawful for any person operating or occupying a motor vehicle on a street or highway to operate or amplify the sound produced by a radio, tape player, or other mechanical soundmaking device or instrument from within the motor vehicle so that the sound is: Plainly audible at a distance of 25 feet or more from the motor vehicle; or louder than necessary for the convenient hearing by persons inside the vehicle in areas adjoining churches, schools, or hospitals.”
Currently there is no device law enforcement can use to determine how loud a car radio is playing. Aside from that, there is no specific decibel level in the law which makes it totally subjective.
Can you imagine the wasted time on court on this law. ‘Officer, were you exactly 25 feet from the vehicle when you heard Motley Crue from across the street? Are you 100 percent sure it was coming from that Pink Cadillac you cited? If Whitney Houston was playing, would you have written that ticket?’
Mark this one down as another unenforceable law on the books in the state of Florida.
What is the rules around noise coming from device at a home?
I know my son from Massachusetts told me they checked the decibels of the sound of the train horn because of complaints and they do so for loud parties too.
Just one more useless law on the books either unenforceable or seldom enforced. All states have many of these on the books, some quite hilarious.
One law in Florida that few seem to be aware of is the requirement to use a turn signal a minimum of 100 feet before initiation of a turn. It is one that is seldom enforced. I’ve noticed that very few Lee County Sheriffs or Ft. Myers and Cape Coral Police obey the law.
Just one more useless law on the books either unenforceable or seldom enforced. All states have many of these on the books, some quite hilarious.
One law in Florida that few seem to be aware of is the requirement to use a turn signal a minimum of 100 feet before initiation a turn. It is one that is seldom enforced. I’ve noticed that very few Lee County Sheriffs or Ft. Myers and Cape Coral Police obey the law.
I applaud the effort but it needs some enforcement teeth. I’m in favor of no warning tazzing, especially for the vehicles with the external speaker systems blaring out from underneath.
This is the “Free State of Florida”?
Ummm we can hear beach preacher’s amplified megaphone from more than 25′ away but that’s OK by law though, right!! This new law is unforcable, noise hazards are based on decibels whether it be music, machinery, or tools. The real road hazards are impaired drivers and speeding. This was definitely wasted time & money.
Far worse to me are the loud motorcycles and loud cars a close second. Both especially in the middle of the night.
I hate the loud music and deep bass coming from cars crossing the island. It is disruptive and is offensive. Even though it is now “illegal”, no one is going to do anything about it. You are correct….another unforceable law. Same with people riding electric vehicles on the sidewalk. No one cares.