Four trucks over trial ‘noise limit’ on city ring road

KIM WATERS
A three-month surveillance trial has detected four “excessively noisy” trucks on Geelong’s bypass despite residents claiming hoon truckies are keeping them awake at night.
VicRoads vehicle management and safety director Don Hogben said the trial had used a mobile noise camera to identify trucks emitting excessive noise.
Mr Hogben said the owners of the four trucks provided “necessary evidence” their vehicles complied with Australian design rules for vehicle noise, so no registrations were suspended.
VicRoads initiated the trial after residents last year hit out at excessive use of engine braking on the bypass.
But Mr Hogben said engine braking was “integral” to safe operation of trucks.
VicRoads was planning more monitoring of truck noise around Victoria but the program was “subject to funding priorities on a state-wide basis”, he said.
Residents neighbouring the bypass expressed disappointment at the trial results, saying noisy trucks were still a pest.
Albo Tatasziore said the racket was keeping his children awake at night.
“We understand the road has to be there and that it’s done a good thing for Geelong but it’s like they’ve just forgotten about us.”
Mr Tatasziore called on VicRoads to install permanent noise cameras on the bypass and Princes Highway in Geelong.
“Noise cameras will keep the truck drivers honest, just like speed cameras discourage people from speeding.”