Police recently began intercepting loud motorcycles in Phnom Penh under new regulations regarding noise. Police
Minister of Interior Sar Kheng has instructed authorities at all levels to eliminate excessive noise caused by all types of vehicles and inspect car workshops that manually modify exhaust systems.
He warned of administrative and legal action against offending vehicle owners, saying the excessive noise disturbs the peace.
According to a directive signed by Sar Kheng and dated January 15, motorcycles with engine capacity of 125cc and below should not exceed noise levels of 85 dBA. Motorcycles with engine capacity over 125cc cannot exceed 90 dBA.
For family vehicles and those with a maximum gross weight of not more than 3.5 tonnes, engine noise should not exceed 103 dBA. Vehicles with a maximum gross weight of more than 3.5 tonnes and an engine power of not more than 150 KW shall not exceed a volume of 105 dBA.
Vehicles with a maximum gross weight of more than 3.5 tonnes and an engine power of more than 150KW must not exceed 107 dBA. Cranes and vehicles equipped with special equipment must not exceed 110 dBA.
Meanwhile, Sar Kheng urged authorities throughout the country to conduct inspections and educate workshop owners to stop offering all unnecessary modification services. If any vehicle owner disobeys the instructions, strict enforcement measures must be taken.
Sar Kheng added that relevant authorities should impound all vehicles with modified exhaust systems or remove them and educate the vehicle owner depending on the severity of their offences.
He reminded police to carry out strict and thorough enforcement duties with professional ethics and without exceptions.
Deputy National Police chief and spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun said on January 17 that the authorities have begun to disseminate information to the public and guide them about the regulations without delay.
“We haven’t set a timeline of one or two weeks, but we have started doing it. After disseminating [the information] and educating the people in their localities, we will start taking legal measures,” he said.
Institute for Road Safety acting director Kong Ratanak said that inspecting noisy vehicles is a good way to reduce public disturbances, though they do not pose a high risk to cause accidents or a loss of life.
“The wrong [modification] of a car exhaust system can cause disturbances to the people, but the authorities should only disseminate the regulations and educate them because there are not many. We should focus more on the traffic accidents that cause deaths and injuries every day,” he said.
