BIRMINGHAM (WWJ) -- Ahead of the unofficial cruising season on Woodward Avenue, Birmingham residents are voicing their noise concerns.
According to officials, city leaders and nearby communities are asking state representatives to clarify language in the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code that sets the rules for enforcing noise ordinances for vehicles that have modified exhaust systems.
They're calling for changes to the code because it was written prior to the existence of these modified systems -- which makes it more difficult for police officers to enforce any noise violations.
Birmingham Police Chief Mark Clemence told The Oakland Press that as it stands, the department cannot enforce local noise ordinances on public roadways.
“The police department cannot enforce local noise ordinances on public roadways because local ordinances cannot supersede the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code,” Clemence stated in a news release. “The Michigan Motor Vehicle Code controls all laws pertaining to public roadways.”
Furthermore, Clemence stated that his department has worked very hard on behalf of their residents to assist with the noise problem. He added that the community is encouraged to join the effort in reaching out to state representatives to request changes addressing their concerns “and improve the atmosphere along Woodward."
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The efforts that the City of Birmingham were able to make included increased police patrols on Woodward, coordinating with police and public safety departments in Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills and Royal Oak as well as inviting traffic units from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and Michigan State Police.
The Woodward Dream Cruise, which will be held on August 20 this year, typically draws more than a million visitors to Birmingham, but many cruisers tend to cruise much earlier when the weather gets warmer.
More information on Birmingham’s efforts to handle traffic noise and other issues on Woodward Avenue is available HERE.
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