Elements of the offence

Police officers have the power under section 54 of the Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA) to require vehicles to stop if they are emitting excessive noise by amplified sound equipment or other devices. Noise emitted from a vehicle is deemed to be ‘excessive’ if it is likely to unreasonably disturb persons in the vicinity of the vehicle. Unless there is proof to the contrary, evidence by a police officer that he or she formed the opinion based on his or her senses that the noise was likely to unreasonably disturb persons in the vicinity constitutes proof that the noise was excessive [Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA) s 54(8)].

Drivers must give name and address if requested

Where excessive noise is emitted from a vehicle, police can require the driver and any other occupant of the vehicle to state their full name and address, and to provide evidence of their address if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the name or address provided are false [Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA) ss 54(1)(b) and 54(4)].

Written warnings

Drivers of vehicles emitting excessive noise from amplified sound equipment or other devices may be given a written direction obliging them to immediately turn off the device. This is effectively a warning. Drivers who refuse or fail to comply with the written direction are guilty of an offence punishable by a fine of up to $1250 [Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA) s 54(6)].

Offences committed within 6 months of written warning

The police officer who issues the direction must advise the person that, during the period of 6 months after the issue of the direction, it is an offence to cause or allow excessive noise to be emitted from a vehicle driven or otherwise occupied by the person by amplified sound equipment or other devices. This means that a person who has been issued with a warning and who drives or occupies a vehicle emitting excessive noise within 6 months of receiving the warning commits an offence, also punishable by a maximum fine of $1250 [Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA) s 54(7)].

Other offences

It is also an offence to:

These offences are punishable by a fine of up to $1250 or imprisonment for 6 months [see Summary Offences Act 1953 (SA) s 54(5)].

Police powers to impound

Police officers may also have the power to seize and impound a motor vehicle emitting excessive noise [see Clamping, impounding, seizure and forfeiture offences].