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News, Nov. 30: “Muffled Frustrations”
Imagined plight
Thank you for continuing to cover the noise issue. Contrary to some councilors’ concerns, the muffler noise conflict is absolutely not about age or culture—it’s about rude behavior. Illegal behavior, in fact. And it most certainly is not just a downtown issue—people are sick of it all around the city. I live in Midtown and the noise is awful.
As for the idea that the proposed fine schedule would target youth—well, underage drinkers are also youths, so should we avoid targeting them? Perhaps we should prohibit insurance companies from charging youthful drivers more for insurance. That sounds like targeting to me.
As for culture—I don’t believe northern NM car culture is historically about noise, and in any case it can’t claim a special identity by citing behavior that slack-jawed white boys all around the US practice. If anything, I would think it would prefer to distance itself from that. I will happily be impressed by a cool car that’s quiet
Basically, some people believe young Hispanic drivers would be targeted by this ordinance. Young Hispanic drivers with loud cars would be no more targeted by this law than smokers have been for smoking in public places or truckers for using Jake brakes in city limits or drivers placed on home detention for driving drunk. The list goes on.
Drivers with loud vehicles know perfectly well they are disturbing others everywhere they go. That is the whole point. I think any councilor’s residual sympathies for their imagined plight should stop right there.
Jeff Donlan, Santa Fe
CORRECTION
Editor’s Note: A graphic in last week’s “Muffled Frustrations” gave the wrong age bracket for the second highest number of tickets for loud mufflers. Those went to drivers ages 32 to 41. The highest number of tickets were issued to drivers 31 and younger.
