The Southwest Florida Noise Task Force, a group comprised of Collier County Commissioners, the Collier County Sheriff's Office, Naples Police, and Quiet Florida, announced plans to increase enforcement and fines for illegally modified mufflers .
"When you hear one vehicle, it's not a big deal. Sometimes you don't even notice, but after a while, the frequency, the vibrations of the noise, it's chronic. So when you hear it continually, grates on your nerves. Noise pollution is the new secondhand smoke. Noise pollution is detrimental to mental and physical health," said Mary Tatigan, who founded the group Quiet Florida back in 2021.
Quiet Florida will work in tandem with law enforcement during the initiative, which includes heightened fines for illegally modified mufflers, both for auto shops conducting the work, and drivers.
- First offense: $313
- Second and subsequent offenses: $613
"Literally there are thousands of residents that live fairly close to some of our major highways, and they were not able to enjoy the environment that we have here in Florida because of the loud noise. They have to close their windows and to stay inside, and this is all night long. It's not just during rush hour, 10 at night, 11 at night," said Commissioner Burt Saunders, who represents Collier County for District 3.
Law enforcement tells NBC2 News that deputies and officers will be keenly listening for violations, as well as making visits to numerous auto shops across the county to conduct searches for illegal work.
"They do it mostly for the noise. You want to be seen. You want to be heard. It makes your car sound faster, and it's an attention grabber," said Max Spoor, a mechanic at Windermere Sustainable Car Care near the Naples Airport, who is familiar with the modifications.
In addition to heightened enforcement, the sheriff's office has sent out a reminder to every auto shop in the county, clueing them into fines and reminding all the work is illegal.