Noise-activated cameras to be tested in Zurich from April
By Jan de Boer
Drivers who rev their engines to the limiter and drift their way through Zurich may receive fines in future, under plans unveiled by the local council. Traffic authorities are set to test specially designed “noise cameras” throughout the city, which will be triggered if vehicles are too loud.
Zurich to test special noise cameras in city
In a statement, the police confirmed that they will be testing a new noise camera in Zurich. The device, resembling a regular speed camera, will be tested on popular routes through the city from April to June 2025.
If a car or motorbike passes the camera making excessive noise, be that through engine noise, tyre squealing or music, it will take a picture of the licence plate. A new noise display will also be installed on the Stadthausquai next to the Limmat River, which will flash a “Too loud!” message if a driver is making too much noise.
Central Zurich is a hotspot for unnecessary noise
Speaking to SRF, city councillor Karin Rykart said that car noise is a major problem in Zurich. In recent years, young motorists have taken to driving expensive vehicles in circles around the centre of the city, revving engines, racing and playing loud noises.
The new cameras are a part of doing “everything we can to reduce unnecessary noise,” she explained. Through the project, the Swiss metropolis joins the likes of Geneva and Basel-Land among others in testing noise cameras in the real world.
Noisy drivers will not be fined...yet
Though drivers will be made aware of the noise cameras, noisy motorists will not be issued with any fines yet. The emergency services explained that while fines can already be issued for making excessive noise with vehicles, the government has yet to create the legal framework needed to use the noise cameras to issue fines.
So far, the government has struggled to create the new rules, given how much the age and type of vehicle can influence how loud it is. Nevertheless, the Federal Roads Office confirmed to SRF that the law will start to be debated by the government by the end of the year.
Thumb image credit: Media Castle / Shutterstock.com
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Editor for Switzerland at IamExpat Media. Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016.
While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more