In an email, police spokesperson Sonya Gilks said a report of loud vehicle noise is difficult to patrol, as the vehicle in question is often gone by the time officers arrive.

"We understand people's frustration with loud vehicle noise and while we do enforce it, it is as resources — and priority of calls for service — permit," Gilks said.

Gilks said police have had several traffic blitzes in the past several months and will be doing more to target excessive vehicle noise, among other traffic violations.

Fredericton's noise bylaw isn't the only law on the books in relation to loud vehicles for which police have issued tickets.

Statistics from the police force show officers issued 12 tickets in 2021, five in 2022 and two tickets this year for "making unnecessary noise with tires," which is an offence under the Motor Vehicle Act. 

Police also issued eight tickets in 2021, 11 in 2022 and nine in 2023 for driving a vehicle without a "proper exhaust system," which is also a Motor Vehicle Act offence.

Shame as a deterrent?

Mike Babineau, owner of Rustico and a handful of other downtown restaurants, said he had hoped the update to the bylaw would offer the teeth needed to dampen the noise.

Mike Babineau, owner of Rustico and other downtown restaurants, said the only option left to tackle noisy vehicles might be to shame the people who intentionally roar through streets. (Shane Fowler/CBC)

"It is pretty constant, you know, in the summer time," Babineau said.

He said not much has changed since it went into effect, but he also understands police officers might have their hands full with higher priorities.

Babineau added that not all bikers are at fault, and the only option left to deter the ones making excessive noise might be in the hands of the general public.

"As much as we'd like to see a handle on this, I think it's really up to us business owners and people to really shame these bikers — the ones that are causing the issues," said Babineau, adding that could be through sharing photos and videos of them in the act.

"You know, it's the ones that think that they're showing off in our downtown that really are making themselves look like fools."

Loud drivers found screeching their tires in downtown Fredericton, are seemingly free to carry on. 

The Fredericton Police Force have not issued a single ticket or warning, to any driver making excessive noise since at least 2013.

That's despite CBC News recording several raucous drivers revving engines and squealing tires in the span of just a few hours Friday afternoon.

"It is a problem," said Sgt. Justin LeBlanc of the Fredericton Police Force. "And we do get several complaints a year for noisy drivers." 

Loud motorcycles often make up the majority of noise complaints, though many bikers do drive sensibly without excessive noise. (Shane Fowler/CBC)

"It's been years since I've issued a ticket myself," said LeBlanc. "And I would say it's because the laws just aren't there." 

LeBlanc says the only noise bylaw in the Motor Vehicle Act, is mostly in reference to mufflers and exhaust systems. The city's bylaw concerning noise violations is mostly used in response to rowdy domestic situations such as house parties. 

"It's a subjective section so it's tough to enforce," says LeBlanc. "And it makes it difficult to obtain a conviction.

"I would say it's a gap in the system,"

Failed changes 

The City of Fredericton did attempt to close that gap in 2013 with modifications to bylaws that would target loud engines, especially motorcycles, which LeBlanc suggests are still the biggest culprits. 

The City of Fredericton attempted to change the noise bylaws in Fredericton but it was voted down in 2013 surrounded by large protests from bikers. (CBC)

At one point, city police did specifically target loud motorcycles for excessive noise. 

"There still is excessive noise," said LeBlanc. "But there's not a lot of recourse."