London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, May 31, 2025

Silence of the Lambos: Council want to end supercar roar on London streets by using sound cameras

Every summer some of London’s most exclusive streets are turned into “race tracks” as millionaires roar around in supercars. But the latest technology could help end the misery of residents who have to put up with the deafening sound of revving engines.

Kensington and Chelsea council wants the Government to install a new generation of “acoustic cameras” that will identify — and deter — drivers of noisy Lamborghinis, McLarens and other supercars.

The problem is particularly acute in summer when Middle Eastern millionaires bring their fleets to London. Rows of the vehicles, including Bentleys and Rolls Royce Phantoms, attract car spotters who come to take selfies.

Fines of up to £1,000 for noisy drivers introduced in 2015 have not been enough to deter them despite the council handing out 148 to owners.

K​ensington and Chelsea councillor Johnny Thalassites said the situation is reaching “crisis point”. He has written to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps this week asking for the area to be included in a UK trial of the cameras, after a boy racer crashed into and wrote off several luxury cars in Moore Street, Chelsea. Mr Thalassites said: “Powerful cars need careful handling and, unfortunately, our borough has seen and heard how certain drivers mistake our streets for a car show. This has been going on for years and it’s reaching crisis point.

“Acoustic cameras would give us a powerful new tool to catch drivers flouting the rules of the road.”

The councillor said the local authority regularly hears from residents whose lives are “blighted” by the vehicles. He said drivers use high-performance supercars in race mode and rev them while stationary in busy areas.

The Department for Transport said in June that it will start testing noise-detecting cameras over the next seven months. They are similar to normal speed cameras but have microphones that can detect vehicles breaching legal noise limits.

If a car exceeds 74 decibels the camera takes photos of the registration number and a fine is sent to the owner. This may come down to 68dB by 2026 if the Vehicle Certification Agency decides to mirror EU legislation.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Chinese Woman Dies After Being Forced to Visit Bank Despite Critical Illness
President Trump Grants Full Pardons to Reality TV Stars Todd and Julie Chrisley
Texas Enacts App Store Accountability Act Mandating Age Verification
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on iPhones Amid Dispute with Apple CEO
Putin's Helicopter Reportedly Targeted by Ukrainian Drones
Liverpool Car Ramming Incident Leaves Multiple Injured
Australia Faces Immigration Debate Following Labor Party Victory
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
Macron Dismisses Viral Video of Wife's Gesture as Playful Banter
Cleveland Clinic Study Questions Effectiveness of Recent Flu Vaccine
Netanyahu Accuses Starmer of Siding with Hamas
Junior Doctors Threaten Strike Over 4% Pay Offer
Labour MPs Urge Chancellor to Tax Wealthy Over Cutting Welfare
Publication of UK Child Poverty Strategy Delayed Until Autumn
France Detains UK Fishing Vessel Amid Post-Brexit Tensions
Calls Grow to Resume Syrian Asylum Claims in UK
Nigel Farage Pledges to Reinstate Winter Fuel Payments
Boris and Carrie Johnson Welcome Daughter Poppy
×