Truck air horn laws

According to federal law, a truck air horn, then, ranges approximately between 80-90 decibels, whether moving or stationary.
Constant exposure to noise of 90 decibels, or 90 dbA, can lead to deafness. With this fact in mind, the United States’ government has set noise abatement standards for aircraft and airports, interstate motor carriers and railroads, workplace activities, motorcycles and mopeds, portable air compressors, federally assisted housing projects and medium and heavy-duty trucks. Under the new federal law, enacted in April, 2000, funding to such noise abatement projects was increased to $207 million annually.

The Environmental Protection Agency

Prior to 1983, the EPS controlled noise policy. Since then the primary responsibility for noise control has shifted to the various states and the municipalities located within them. Current truck air horn laws are now mainly legislated and enforced by each state and the cities within, even though past EPA regulations still remain in effect.

Decibels

Sound is measured in decibels or dbA. Levels of 65 dbA are annoying to most people. The Noise Control Act of 1972 required the EPA to establish noise control standards for motor carriers in interstate commerce. The Federal Highway Administration was to enforce these laws. All commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds are bound by two types of standards, one for highway travel and one when remaining stationary. Horns or sirens operated while the commercial vehicle is moving are limited to a range between 81-93 dbA. Those operated while the commercial vehicle is stationary are limited to a range between 83-91 dbA. These standards apply under any circumstance – time, road condition, vehicle load, acceleration or deceleration.

As mentioned earlier, a rate of 90 dbA can lead to deafness if an individual is constantly exposed to it. A truck air horn, then, ranges approximately between 80-90 dbA, whether moving or stationary. Consulting the Congressional Research Service Report on Noise Abatement and Control, as it was presented to the House and Senate members, 80 dbA is the sound level of the average city traffic, your garbage disposal or an alarm clock ringing two feet away. However, 90dbA is the sound of subway traffic, truck traffic or your lawn mower: Constant exposure to these sounds can lead to hearing loss.

Fortunately, a truck air horn is used intermittently, and most of us have never nor will ever be exposed to its sound on a continuous basis.

The State and Local Role in Air Horn Noise Abatement

The federal government is limited to regulating the air horn or siren of an interstate vehicle. State and local governments determine the extent of dbA on the air horns and sirens of all other vehicles. Regulations can vary widely.

The State of California, for example, does not establish any standards to abate noise. They do, however, provide some models for local municipalities to use in establishing their own laws.

You must obey the interstate laws for truck air horn usage if your vehicle is over 10,000 pounds, otherwise you must consult your state laws. Remember, municipalities have laws governing truck air horns, and these can vary from municipality to municipality within your own state.