Driving through the city or country with your favorite music blasting can be strangely liberating. I often fancy myself as the hero of a movie, drumming my fingers on the steering wheel in tune with the song’s beat. Unfortunately, playing loud music in your car can turn your fanciful daydream into a nightmare involving the police and fines.
In many states, it is illegal to blast music in your car. If people at least 25 feet away from your car can hear the music you play, it most likely violates laws governing noise. However, you can still play your music at a lower volume.
In the rest of this article, we will look at why it is illegal to blast music in many states, how loud you can turn up your music, whether loud music carries a prison sentence, and more. We will also discuss whether it is considered rude to play loud music while driving and the dangers of driving with loud music.
Why It Is Illegal to Blast Music in Cars
You may enjoy playing your music loudly, but it is at least frowned upon in most states, if not outright banned.
Each state has reasons and justification for making it illegal to play music loudly. But overall, the reasons generally fall into one of three categories:
- Public nuisance
- Distraction to drivers
- Noise pollution and environmental considerations
Public Nuisance
Many states have a concept in law known as “public nuisance.” The term nuisance refers to any action that could cause annoyance, irritation, or disruption to the public or people in the general vicinity.
Loud noise falls under the concept of public nuisance. While you may thoroughly enjoy the song you’re playing, others around you might find it annoying or disruptive.
For example, assume that you’re playing loud music at night and driving through a residential neighborhood. While you enjoy your music, it’s quite possible that the people living in the neighborhood were asleep and have been woken up because of your music. Can you see how this might be annoying and disruptive?
As a result, most states have regulations that prevent a lot of noise to reduce public nuisance. Regulating the sound of music is one way to reduce the amount of noise. For example, many states have night time curfews, beyond which it is illegal to play music, have parties, or even increase your TV volume too much.
Distraction to Drivers
Studies have shown that playing loud music can distract drivers. These drivers may stop paying attention to the road and traffic conditions if they’re focused on the music.
For example, in 2011, a slow-moving train in Montana hit a car. The car driver had been blasting music and had reportedly not even heard the train approaching. Although the driver was luckily uninjured, this was still an accident that never should have happened. According to research, this tendency to get distracted by music is particularly true of young drivers.
Loud music could also distract drivers in other cars. If someone playing loud music drives by, it could make other drivers less focused, more annoyed, or distracted. This distraction could lead to various accidents and traffic violations on the road.
Noise Pollution and Environmental Considerations
The final category is noise pollution and environmental considerations. In this case, the laws regarding loud music are made to reduce noise pollution and create a healthier environment.
For example, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a subsection in their 1990 Clean Air Act that specifically deals with noise pollution. The result of this section? A better environment for animals and birds, more peace for people, and an overall reduction in noise pollution and its harm to the environment.
But what exactly is noise pollution?
By definition, noise pollution refers to any sound that disturbs, distracts, or bothers people. This could be because the noise interrupts their work, affects their daily activities, or simply annoys them. However, more important than the annoyance caused by noise pollution is its harmful effects on our health.
In the last few decades, noise-related health problems have become more common. This is due to the increased number of vehicles, growing cities, large and densely packed population, etc. Due to these factors, governments use laws to limit noise pollution. Most states have laws that regulate the noise produced by the car engine or exhaust, but some states might even limit music volume.
You may also like: Is It Illegal to Park in Front of a Mailbox?
Can I Get Pulled Over for Playing Loud Music?
In many states, you can get pulled over for playing loud music. Even if there aren’t any specific laws regarding playing music in the car, cops have the power to pull you over for loud music. Some states have struck down laws that allow them to pull you over, but it still happens in most places.
Generally, if people can clearly hear your music even 25 feet away from your car, the police do have the right to ask you to stop. This distance might vary from state to state, but it’s usually between 25 to 100 feet.
Does Playing Loud Music Carry a Prison Sentence?
Playing loud music is only punishable by a ticket or fine. If an officer asks you to turn down your music, you might get away with no punishment. However, if you become argumentative or aggressive, the officer may arrest you, potentially resulting in a stay in a holding cell.
Generally, playing loud music falls under laws regarding traffic or public nuisance. Playing loud music is generally not punished by a prison sentence, just a ticket or a fine.
If an officer pulls you over for playing loud music (or anything else), you should be on your best behavior, though. If the officer asks you to turn down your music, just lower the volume, and you might get away without any punishment. However, keep in mind that you do not have to allow the officer to search your car or make you get out of the car based on loud music alone.
How Loud Can I Play Music in My Car?
You can play music at a reasonable volume. The music should not be more than 85 decibels, and it should not be heard 25+ feet (7.6+ meters) away from your car. If the volume of the music you play falls under these guidelines, there is no issue.
Most traffic laws governing car music specify that people should not be able to hear the music at a distance away from your car. For example, California deems music “too loud” if it can be heard 50 feet away from the car, while Seattle deems music “too loud” if it’s heard 75 feet away.
Even if there’s no specific distance mentioned in these laws, you should avoid playing music at 85 decibels or higher volume. Studies show that people who are constantly exposed to music at 85 decibels are at a greater risk for hearing loss.
Is It Considered Rude to Play Loud Music in a Car?
It is considered rude to play loud music in your car. Playing loud music in your car is generally seen as a sign of arrogance, selfishness, and lack of consideration for others. If your music can be heard from cars far away from you, it makes you look rude and uncouth.
Playing loud music distracts other drivers and can also startle or scare people who aren’t expecting it. It can disturb households in residential neighborhoods or students if you’re near a school. Generally, if you’re in a residential area or near a school or office, you should keep the volume of your music down so that you don’t disturb anyone else.
It’s also considered polite to lower the volume of your music if you pass by a church or funeral home where services of any kind are being held.
The Dangers of Listening to Loud Music While Driving
Scientists at Newfoundland’s Memorial University have revealed that drivers who listen to loud music while driving can experience as much as a 20% decrease in reaction time. This is extremely dangerous on the road, where a lack of proper safety can be fatal.
Loud music can also prevent you from hearing sirens, other cars, or even your own indicator. This means that you have no indication of what’s happening around you, a dangerous state to be in while driving.
Generally, you should listen to upbeat music at a lower volume. The quicker tempo will prevent you from dozing off or getting bored, while the lower volume will ensure that you’re still aware of what’s happening around you.
In Conclusion
In many states, playing loud music in your car is not only considered rude but is actually illegal. Violations of these laws generally result in a ticket or a fine, but if you resist the ticket or become belligerent, you might be arrested by the officer.
These laws were put in place to prevent excess noise pollution, limit public nuisance, and improve safety for everyone on the road. If you want to listen to music in your car, you should keep it below 80 decibels to be on the safe side.
RELATED POSTS:
- How to Fix Rattling Car Speakers
- Cheap Car Speakers (Reviews & Buying Guide)
- Acoustic Windshield: What It Is & How to Tell if You Have It
- How to Fix a Blown Speaker in Your Car
SHARE ON:
- By CarRoar