New York State Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Senator Mayer Celebrate the Passage of The SLEEP Act with Yonkers Residents

(Yonkers, NY) – On Thursday, June 17, New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Senator Shelley B. Mayer joined with Yonkers residents to celebrate the passage of the SLEEP Act (S784B/A.471C), which stands for Stop Loud and Excessive Exhaust Pollution. It prohibits the sale or installation of devices to increase the sound of a muffler on a motor vehicle or motorcycle and increases maximum fines for modifications.

Like many residents across New York State who live near high-speed roadways, Matt and Sweet Orefice of Whitman Road in Yonkers, located between Central Park Avenue and the Sprain Brook Parkway, have experienced disruptive and excessive motor vehicle noise. At the end of the New York State Legislative Session, Stewart-Cousins, Mayer and their colleagues in both the Senate and Assembly passed the SLEEP Act, sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Bill Magnarelli, to address this persistent problem.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said: “We are taking action at the State level to ensure our roads are safe and to eliminate the nuisance of the noise. The SLEEP Act is a good step forward in partnership with our local officials and police to help reduce dangerous drag racing and the noise and pollution it causes."

Senator Shelley B. Mayer said: “For as long as I have been in elected office, there have been complaints about excessive noise by cars. It is a serious issue throughout my district. I was proud to co-sponsor the SLEEP Act. Excessive noise is not just an annoyance – it affects quality of life. By banning noise amplifiers and allowing for the suspension of operating certificates of repair shops that install these devices, we will reduce the number of people being subjected to unnecessary noise.”

If signed by Governor Cuomo, the SLEEP Act will expressly prohibit the sale or installation of devices to increase the sound of a muffler on a motor vehicle or motorcycle and increase maximum fines for such modifications from $150 to $1,000. Maximum fines for motorcycle operators with altered exhaust systems will increase to $500.

Additionally, the bill allows the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to deny or revoke a license to operate a vehicle inspection business upon a third or subsequent willful violation of regulations regarding mufflers within an 18-month period.

Assemblymember Nader Sayegh said: “As aftermarket modifications on vehicle exhaust systems become more prevalent, they continue to present a significant nuisance for local communities like ours here in Yonkers. It’s why I was proud to support the SLEEP Act in the Assembly. Thanks to this new legislation, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies will have new tools at their disposal to ensure that these vehicles comply with existing regulations and don’t pollute our neighborhoods with excessive noise and emissions pollution.”

Whitman Road Resident Matt Orefice said: “While I can appreciate the knowledge and craft of custom car enthusiasts, it crosses the line when noise pollution infringes on others. Loud mufflers can be a nuisance, especially in neighborhood settings and for those with young children and pets. Being woken up in the middle of the night is both irritating and frustrating, in that the same car can pass by almost every night with no recourse. This is a quality of life issue that I am happy to say is being addressed by our local representatives.”

Westchester County Legislator Ruth Walter said: “A significant number of the constituent calls and emails my office receives are about noise in the district due to deliberately modified mufflers. During the pandemic, noise complaints became even more urgent. As people tried to work from home, facilitate Zoom school for their children or care for themselves or a family member suffering from COVID-19, they were unable to sleep or focus due to this deliberate and disruptive noise. This law will help allow residents of District 15 as well as people living across New York State to sleep more soundly at night. Thank you Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senator Shelley Mayer and your colleagues for your hard work in passing this legislation.”