Falsely Accused Of Excessive Noise?

[T.D]

Hey,

Just needing some opinions/help from people who might have been down the path I'm about to explain.

Basically, I received a letter from EPA stating my car was observed making excessive noise (loud exhaust in other words) in Seaford at approx. 2:20pm on the 18th of March, 2013.

However, I was in Ballarat that day and was nowehere near there at the time it occured. With my line of work as a Mechanical Engineer, I regularly visit clients, which on that day included a Catholic College. I signed out of the Catholic College at 1:30pm and I have my Citylink logs which proves I exited the Burnley Tunnel at approx. 3:50pm.

I have sent an email to EPA explaining the circumstances and also called up EPA (to which they were NO help whatseover) as it appears to be a case of misidentification as my car is stock mechanically (i.e stock exhaust)!!

The EPA rep told me to just do the test so they can close the case but I don't see the logic in ME paying for a test, ME taking time out from my work day (don't forget I have to travel across the state everyday to see clients) because there was an error on someone else's behalf.

If EPA were willing to re-imburse me (to which they aren't) for both the test and the day's wage lost, I'd be happy to do the test as like I said, car is stock mechanically and have nothing to hide whatsoever.

Anyone had this scenario before and how did you deal with it?

Cheers.

[Birds]

I don't have any helpful suggestions unfortunately mate, but the EPA should have on record the details of the officer who reported you. It may take some getting to the bottom of it, but someone had to report you to them to send you the letter. If not the EPA, then maybe start with Seaford TMU? They might have some suggestions on how to help you.

I agree the EPA are f**king useless...the girl on the phone even admitted they are useless and knew nothing of how to help me when I got done. All they know is whether they've gotten their certificate passing your vehicle or not. It seems to be one of those overly bureaucratic processes where there is no fall guy that blame tests on, just a bunch of dead ends and delegates telling you to talk to other delegates and vice versa. I swear it's setup this way so you have no choice but to pay the fine. Can you imagine the outrage that would occur if it wasn't a non-vocal minority of people in society who were treated this way? It's like jailing all the suspects in a crime for a few days just because they were connected to the case in some way and they don't want to risk the real perpetrator going unpunished.

The biggest bullshit part is having to take time out of your day and pay for the test yourself...even if you're not guilty of it. I say if they can't test you on the spot and fine you on the spot, then f**k off. The next bullshit part is that cops can discernibly tell the difference between 87 and 88 decibels. Have had mates with standard exhaust systems receive EPA letters in the mail. It's pretty much...see an import...write down number plates and then job done. Utter garbage and a mockery of the police force.

[Plattsy]

he just wasted 2 mins of his life reading that birds. how helpful.

Andrew thought you moved out of the imports to avoid this shit!

[T.D]

I don't have any helpful suggestions unfortunately mate, but the EPA should have on record the details of the officer who reported you. It may take some getting to the bottom of it, but someone had to send you the letter. If not the EPA, then maybe start with Seaford TMU? They might have some suggestions on how to help you.

I agree the EPA are f**king useless...the girl on the phone even admitted they are useless and knew nothing of how to help me when I got done. All they know is whether they've gotten their certificate passing your vehicle or not. It seems to be one of those overly bureaucratic processes where there is no fall guy that blame tests on, just a bunch of dead ends and delegates telling you to talk to other delegates and vice versa. I swear it's setup this way so you have no choice but to pay the fine. Can you imagine the outrage that would occur if it wasn't a non-vocal minority of people in society who were treated this way? It's like jailing all the suspects in a crime for a few days just because they were connected to the case in some way and they don't want to risk the real perpetrator going unpunished.

The biggest bulkshit part is having to take time out of your day and pay for the test yourself...even if you're not guilty of it. I say if they can't test you on the spot and fine you on the spot, then f**k off. The next bullshit part is that cops can discernibly tell the difference between 87 and 88 decibels. Have had mates with standard exhaust systems receive EPA letters in the mail. It's pretty much...see an import...write down number plates and then job done. Utter garbage and a mockery of the police force.

I asked the lady on the phone if she could provide me with details as to who supposedly witnessed my car making excessive noise and she apparently had no idea.

I can't help but agree with pretty much your entire post, especially with the "if you can't phisically test it now, then f*ck off".

The funny thing is, I'm driving my SS-V now I sold the R33, which is essentially a $60k car. Not an import nor a beat up commodore, but a top of the range SS that they decided to pick. Seems like the police are jsut going for anyone that has a modified car, regardless of origin. Yet there's a tonne of beat up car with holes in the muffler doing the rounds. Go figure.

And here's the kicker:

Me: So hang on, as long as I'm falsely accused of my vehicle making excessive noise, I have to accept I'm guilty and fork out the money and inconvinince for a test?

EPA: Yes.

Me: So I got this right, you're saying I can call up and report ANYONE I want over and over again, and they will have to accept they are guilty and do the test, over and over again?

EPA: Essentially, yes.

Me: Even if it was a police car?

EPA: ....... I... I'm not sure. In regards to your issue, it's probably the easiest to quickly get your car tested so the case can be closed.

he just wasted 2 mins of his life reading that birds. how helpful.

Andrew thought you moved out of the imports to avoid this shit!

Hahahaha nah, jsut glad that I'm not the only one who thinks this system is very flawed.

And yes, sold the skyline to get away from this hassle, only for some c*ckhead to report me for something that was physically impossible on every level.

[SMOKEYV35]

Is it noise - or noise and emissions?<br /><br />I got the same letter about 5 years ago, but noise and emissions. Had to present to Macleod EPA testing station for db and sniffer test - there was no cost for the test. It takes 10 mins and its at a designated time. They aren't that busy so there won't be a delay. It's up to you - you can submit all your documentation - but make sure you get an extension on your test date otherwise they suspend your registration, and you will then need to get a permit until the mess and paper work gets sorted out. Or you just book a 9am test, take an hour off work, and be done with it. <br />

[Plattsy]

I asked the lady on the phone if she could provide me with details as to who supposedly witnessed my car making excessive noise and she apparently had no idea.

I can't help but agree with pretty much your entire post, especially with the "if you can't phisically test it now, then f*ck off".

The funny thing is, I'm driving my SS-V now I sold the R33, which is essentially a $60k car. Not an import nor a beat up commodore, but a top of the range SS that they decided to pick. Seems like the police are jsut going for anyone that has a modified car, regardless of origin. Yet there's a tonne of beat up car with holes in the muffler doing the rounds. Go figure.

And here's the kicker:

Me: So hang on, as long as I'm falsely accused of my vehicle making excessive noise, I have to accept I'm guilty and fork out the money and inconvinince for a test?

EPA: Yes.

Me: So I got this right, you're saying I can call up and report ANYONE I want over and over again, and they will have to accept they are guilty and do the test, over and over again?

EPA: Essentially, yes.

Me: Even if it was a police car?

EPA: ....... I... I'm not sure. In regards to your issue, it's probably the easiest to quickly get your car tested so the case can be closed.

Hahahaha nah, jsut glad that I'm not the only one who thinks this system is very flawed.

And yes, sold the skyline to get away from this hassle, only for some c*ckhead to report me for something that was physically impossible on every level.

typical... im going to look at an r8 this weekend. cos i rememebr some one saying to me "you dont get as much attention in a holden mate"

someone = you.

[Plattsy]

im joking birds i love you.

id be making a huge nuisance of my self andrew. keep caling and ask to talk to superiors.

[Sunkist]

Ill be honest. EPA a f**king f**ks

But for all the trouble you will end up going through to get the $24 fee or whatever it is waived will cost you more in time.

Fk it, do it and move on. Arguing with them is useless. They might as well respond automatically with letters that say "computer says no"

[T.D]

Is it noise - or noise and emissions?<br /><br />I got the same letter about 5 years ago, but noise and emissions. Had to present to Macleod EPA testing station for db and sniffer test - there was no cost for the test. It takes 10 mins and its at a designated time. They aren't that busy so there won't be a delay. It's up to you - you can submit all your documentation - but make sure you get an extension on your test date otherwise they suspend your registration, and you will then need to get a permit until the mess and paper work gets sorted out. Or you just book a 9am test, take an hour off work, and be done with it. <br />

Just a noise test. I can see where you're coming from, but it's more a matter of principle than anything else. Either the police officer has got the wrong registration number down, or they are just shooting blanks and hoping for a sucker to take the hit.

I didn't take a step away from the imports I love so much, only to be hassled for reasons with no grounds.

[Plattsy]

Just a noise test. I can see where you're coming from, but it's more a matter of principle than anything else. Either the police officer has got the wrong registration number down, or they are just shooting blanks and hoping for a sucker to take the hit.

I didn't take a step away from the imports I love so much, only to be hassled for reasons with no grounds.

fight it mate. it costs you nothing but time. also go to the press. kick up a stink. if everyone just accepts it it will never change!

hit up today tonight or some shit. if you can get a couple of examples from other people you got a story.

[T.D]

typical... im going to look at an r8 this weekend. cos i rememebr some one saying to me "you dont get as much attention in a holden mate"

someone = you.

Hahahahah whoa, you're twisting my words mate! Expensive holdens get less attention. Cheap holdens get alot of attention. Imports get THE attention hahaha

[Plattsy]

Hahahahah whoa, you're twisting my words mate! Expensive holdens get less attention. Cheap holdens get alot of attention. Imports get THE attention hahaha

thats why im getting hsv lol. and its gonna be black. no stupid colours or styling!

[Sunkist]

thats why im getting hsv lol. and its gonna be black. no stupid colours or styling!

Insert nick here

[T.D]

Ill be honest. EPA a f**king f**ks

But for all the trouble you will end up going through to get the $24 fee or whatever it is waived will cost you more in time.

Fk it, do it and move on. Arguing with them is useless. They might as well respond automatically with letters that say "computer says no"

It's $41 mate! Way too much for my tight ass!! Hahahaha but seriosuly, like I said to Smokety, it's the principle more than anything.

If I had no hard evidence to prove my case of being halfway across the state from the supposed location of identification, fair enough.

However, I have the Citylink logs and the Catholic College sign-in/sign-out time sheets, which states it to be physically impossible for me to have been the perputrator!

What more evidence do they need? The pope to call up and say "Yeah, he was hanging with me. Wasn't him making the excessive noise"?

[T.D]

thats why im getting hsv lol. and its gonna be black. no stupid colours or styling!

Friggin' sweet! Just tell me what the rego is and uhhh.. yeah. Sweet.

Nah, seriosuly though. What model?

[Plattsy]

Friggin' sweet! Just tell me what the rego is and uhhh.. yeah. Sweet.

Nah, seriosuly though. What model?

well the early ve's are just out of my price range.... but my father in law has a ve r8... thats what turned me on to em... im looking any thing vy x or z.... if you know much about em give me a shout and tell me what to look for!

for serial tho. contact you local paper.

[T.D]

well the early ve's are just out of my price range.... but my father in law has a ve r8... thats what turned me on to em... im looking any thing vy x or z.... if you know much about em give me a shout and tell me what to look for!

for serial tho. contact you local paper.

Nice job mate, I'm impressed you've broadened your automotive horizone looks like we can be cruise buddys again soon hahaha

To be brutally honest, I'm not too clued up on the VY/VZ range BUT do try and get the VZ as they use a LS2 6litre, whereas the VY only make do with the LS1 5.7litre. Oh, and the VZ has a different (read: better) diff ratio too

I'm hoping it won't have to resort to that as I believe this is a simple matter that has an easy solution (i.e cancel the test notice!).

Anyone with half a mind of logic can see the discprencies and the solution as easily as we do, so hopefully EPA can swallow their pride and accept the fact that "Yeah, someone on our end has stuffed something up".

Edited April 3, 2013 by turbodragon

[Odium]

Anyone with half a mind of logic can see the discprencies and the solution as easily as we do, so hopefully EPA can swallow their pride and accept the fact that "Yeah, someone on our end has stuffed something up".

Problem is, it's a lot easier for the person on the other end of the phone to say "The Officer stuffed up, contact them" instead of "Someone on OUR END has stuffed something up"

[Odium]

And on goes the eternal government department "Please fill in Form A7 Blue and line up again in the Green line. NEXT!!!!" bullshit

[paulr33]

this is how they handle simple traffic / car related issues

imagine how they handle complex issues such as 40yrs+ of soil and water pollution at tullamarine / westmeadows and aircraft noise issues arising from extra runways/flight traffic