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More than a hundred motorists have been threatened with fines after London’s first “noise” cameras were set up to combat anti-social supercar drivers.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea set up the cameras across Knightsbridge two weeks ago in a crackdown on drivers turning the capital’s most exclusive streets into “racetracks”.
They monitor sound levels and when a 74 decibel noise threshold is exceeded record the volume and film the offending vehicle.
The cameras were activated more than 130 times in the first 11 days since being switched on and warning letters sent out warning drivers they will be fined on their next offence, RBKC said.
The loudest record sound was 104db – equivalent to a helicopter flying nearby. A Range Rover on Sloane Street set off a camera at just under 100db.
The video from the camera released to the Standard picks up the car’s engine roaring as it sets off at speed.
Westminster crackdown on Supercars
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Supercars and luxury vehicles were ticketed as part of a crackdown on supercar bad behaviour in Westminster
2/17
A parking warden slaps a ticket on a high-value car
3/17
This eye-catching tricycle was also slapped with a fine
4/17
The operation was carried out over a space of several weeks in central London
5/17
This Rolls Royce was among luxury vehicles given a ticket
6/17
Westminster traffic wardens handed four parking charge notices to supercars and 19 tickets to luxury vehicles
7/17
The action came after a surge in complaints about supercars and luxury vehicles
8/17
Dozens of other supercar drivers were given advice about parking
9/17
This car, parked on double yellow lines overhanging a junction, was given a ticket
10/17
Custom Rolls Royce Phantoms, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and this Mercedes, were among vehicles given tickets
11/17
This Maserati was parked outside its box
12/17
A warden gives a ticket to one of the high-end vehicles
13/17
Another view of a Rolls Royce which was parked across a junction
14/17
The operation targeted illegal parking by playboy drivers
15/17
Supercars and luxury vehicles ticketed as part of a crackdown on supercar bad behaviour in Westminster
16/17
This Ferrari was given a parking ticket as part of the crackdown
17/17
Cars were ticketed in eight-hour operations on three Sundays last month
1/17
Supercars and luxury vehicles were ticketed as part of a crackdown on supercar bad behaviour in Westminster
2/17
A parking warden slaps a ticket on a high-value car
3/17
This eye-catching tricycle was also slapped with a fine
4/17
The operation was carried out over a space of several weeks in central London
5/17
This Rolls Royce was among luxury vehicles given a ticket
6/17
Westminster traffic wardens handed four parking charge notices to supercars and 19 tickets to luxury vehicles
7/17
The action came after a surge in complaints about supercars and luxury vehicles
8/17
Dozens of other supercar drivers were given advice about parking
9/17
This car, parked on double yellow lines overhanging a junction, was given a ticket
10/17
Custom Rolls Royce Phantoms, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and this Mercedes, were among vehicles given tickets
11/17
This Maserati was parked outside its box
12/17
A warden gives a ticket to one of the high-end vehicles
13/17
Another view of a Rolls Royce which was parked across a junction
14/17
The operation targeted illegal parking by playboy drivers
15/17
Supercars and luxury vehicles ticketed as part of a crackdown on supercar bad behaviour in Westminster
16/17
This Ferrari was given a parking ticket as part of the crackdown
17/17
Cars were ticketed in eight-hour operations on three Sundays last month
Kensington and Chelsea council, that has installed the technology, has received dozens of complaints that some of its streets were becoming a “magnet for Lamborghinis and Ferraris” which cruise through often in convoy.
The local authority has previously said decibel levels recorded can reach 126dB on some summer nights in Knightsbridge – around the average level of a rock concert.
Drivers caught revving their sports cars too loudly and disturbing residents face fines of between £100 and £2,500.
The council said it will also apply for a court order to seize the vehicles of persistent offenders.
Despite lockdown, between June and August the council received 35 complaints about noisy engines. Last month dozens of cars and motorbikes descended on the borough and performed “ear-splitting stunts”, a spokesman said.
Johnny Thalassites, Kensington’s lead member for transport, said: “Residents have had enough of drivers using our streets as a racetrack. Supercars look good and most drivers are considerate but when they they’re not, it is disruptive and irritating for people living and working in the area.”
