New radars will arrive on French roads in 2025: they will notably penalize tampered exhaust pipes

Photograph of the prototype of the “Hydre” sound radar, designed and developed by Bruitparif, the first of which was installed along the RD46 in Saint-Lambert-des-Bois on January 3, 2022.

These so-called "anti-noise" radars aim to reduce the behavior of the motorist behind the wheel, but also the vehicles that contribute to noise pollution.

Starting next year, beware of cars that are too noisy. Indeed, new radars called “anti-noise” will be deployed, for testing (and as a sanction), across the country starting next January. They will hunt down vehicles that exceed 85 decibels. More specifically, those, both motorcycles and cars, whose exhaust pipes have been tampered with.

The aim is to combat the noise pollution that these types of vehicles, but also others, generate on a daily basis. They will be installed high up, on top of poles, which will allow them to identify the vehicle causing this noise pollution.

Tested since January 2022 in a few urban areas

If a noise level above 85 decibels is detected, the penalty will be immediate: it will be a fine of 135 euros. Called “Hydre”, these new radars were designed by Bruitparif. They have been tested in several large French cities since 2022.

“This noise radar is designed to automatically detect excessively noisy vehicles and allow local authorities to issue fines to combat noise pollution”, explains this association founded in 2004 and responsible for characterizing the noise environment.

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Between 10 and 44 vehicles reported per day during the tests

It is not only in France that these anti-noise radars are being developed. Bruitparif is also conducting experiments in several cities in Europe, in Berlin, Brussels, Barcelona, ​​Geneva and Basel. In France, the experiment is being conducted in two phases. The first started in January 2022 and ended in October 2022. During this first phase, between 10 and 44 vehicles were reported per day for emitting noise greater than 83 decibels.

It was conducted in seven pilot communities: the community of communes of the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse, Paris, Rueil-Malmaison, Villeneuve-le-Roi, Nice, Bron and Toulouse. This was a “blank” test phase “without any violation being noted or any fines issued”. At the end of this first phase, two manufacturers including Bruitparif decided to continue and work to have their device approved by the National Metrology and Testing Laboratory (LNE).

A fine of 135 euros

The second phase of experimentation, with verbalization this time, will begin, according to the provisional schedule, in spring 2025. This time with the sound radar devices “approved“. “The files containing the elements constituting an offence prepared by the sound radars will then be transmitted electronically to the centres authorised to record offences within the pilot territories participating in the experiment”, specifies Bruitparif.

The offence will then be “punishable by a 4th class fine, as provided for by Article R318-3 of the Highway Code”. This corresponds to a fixed fine of 135 euros, reduced to 90 euros if paid within 15 days. The device can detect noise violations within a radius of 15 meters, “even in heavy traffic”.

Final decision at the end of the second test phase

At the end of this second phase of experimentation, probably towards the end of 2025, an evaluation and a report will be drawn up by the Ministry of Ecological Transition. If they prove conclusive, the sound radars could then be deployed more widely in France.