Drive-by noise pollution is driving me crazy

I live in east Asheville, in Haw Creek. Before moving into a house on a busy street in east Asheville, I lived on a mountain in Candler. I had to move for financial reasons. The bass used to be my favorite instrument. I even thought about taking lessons once. Now I deplore the bass. Why? Because some people in my neighborhood drive by every night with the bass turned up so loudly you can feel it in your house.

What can be done? What is the noise ordinance? I suppose I should be looking this up, but enforcing any ordinance would be logistically difficult unless a police officer was parked off to the side of the street and followed the perpetrator.

I don't want to move. What the hell is wrong with these people? I am at my wit's end.

— Celeste Heery
Asheville

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6 thoughts on “Drive-by noise pollution is driving me crazy

  1. ashevillelokel

    There is nothing you can do ….. the City has a noise ordinance but it really is “in name only” since it is nearly impossible to enforce because the “noise” has to be at “a sustained level” that any normal person would consider annoying ….. enjoy the music.

  2. Grant Millin

    Hey Celeste,

    Your reflections are shared my many. There is a growing national movement focused on noise mitigation, and ‘boom’ cars (cars with sub-sonic bass and woofers) are being targeted. Direct all your discomfort and stress at your elected officials, please!

    I do not feel citizens would have to start another non-profit to deal with this, and hopefully soon we will hear of a regional nonprofit including noise more in their agenda. In any case, it’s our politicians who need to be hearing from us.

    The City of Asheville has an absolutely miserable and very 1950’s view on this issue. Our noise ordinance is hopelessly obsolete. They have been briefed and yet refuse to make a credible investigation of a noise ordinance modernization program.

    Except for Forsythe County, North Carolina and the Federal government is way behind on this. What should totally piss us all off is that we have to modify the childish and dangerous behavior of noise bullies. We need a quick, intense fix to this so we can move on to the big issues. At the same time, if we can’t modify behaviors when it comes to noise pollution it means we are incapable of doing so regarding even bigger issues.

    This is very much a distraction issue, but it’s one we need to solve to reduce stress and increase public health so we are in better shape to take on higher priority matters. In many ways noise pollution is a VERY high priority issue.

    The excuses politicians who oppose local, regional and national noise mitigation programing propose some silly and insulting rationales. Remember, there is no right of strangers to invade your personal space. Now, government enforcement of existing noise mitigation laws is desperately needed, in addition to new measures. We are looking for fast, effective and measurable results from our public officials.

    This should very much be an issue citizens choose their elected officials over at election time!

    Cheers,

    Grant

  3. DQ

    Trust me, hearing aids do NOT work when the BASS is vibrating so hard into your home, shaking the walls, and piercing the very core of your ears capacity to withstand loud noises. Believe me, I’ve tried. At this point, they’re just a minuet vibrational barrier that do little good.

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