BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2245
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 19, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
AB 2245 (Hill) - As Amended: April 6, 2010
SUBJECT : Vehicle horns: sound levels
SUMMARY : Prohibits a vehicle's horn from emitting a sound in
excess of an unspecified sound level as measured in decibels
(dB(A)). Specifically, this bill :
EXISTING LAW : Requires any motor vehicle operating on a highway
to be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of
emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance
of not less than 200 feet, and prohibits the horn from emitting
an unreasonably loud or harsh sound.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : In response to complaints about what was thought to
be excessive train noise in his San Mateo County district, the
author reports that he has been working with the US Department
of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), local
governments, constituents, and the railroad industry. FRA
recently conducted a study on freight train horns in the cities
of South San Francisco, Burlingame, and San Mateo at his
request. The study concluded that the train horns are sounding
within the legally prescribed decibel limit at each grade
separation. However, FRA staff informed the author that
aftermarket car horns had been identified as a possible factor
leading to these complaints.
Aftermarket car horns are currently available to consumers and
can produce decibel levels that meet and possibly exceed 110
dB(A) - the decibel limit that the author proposes to amend into
the bill. These horns also imitate train horns and can be
confusing and dangerous to drivers and pedestrians. This bill
would still allow for the sale of these aftermarket products as
long as they meet the prescribed decibel standard.
The current standard for noise from a car horn is that it may
not be unreasonably loud or harsh. A standard that identifies a
specific decibel level would appear to be a much more objective
criterion. Some might question how a law enforcement agency
AB 2245
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would administer this standard as most traffic officers are
unlikely to be in possession of sound measurement equipment. It
is possible, however, that in a given community where car horns
are perceived to be a problem, the local police or sheriffs
might choose to carry such equipment in response to public
clamor for relief.
Author's amendments : The author proposes to amend the bill to
specify that it applies only to horns purchased as aftermarket
equipment and to create a decibel limit of 110 dB(A) for these
horns. Such a limit would be consistent with federal
regulations for train horns (Code of Federal Regulations,
Railroad Locomotive Safety Standards, 49CFR 229.129) and as well
as the decibel level that is typical for the average horn on a
new car. Aftermarket horns are purported to be as loud as 170
dB(A).
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None received
Opposition
None received
Analysis Prepared by : Howard Posner / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093