Loud Car Stereos: Should Local Governments Crack Down?

Most of us have been in the car when a great tune comes on the radio. The urge to turn up that volume just a little bit is often too strong to resist.

But, how loud is too loud? When is cranking it up going too far? When should authorities be able to step in and say enough is enough?

Those are questions some local governments in the Tampa Bay area are now wrestling with. Since the Florida Legislature shot down a measure that would have regulated just how loud car stereos can be, some local authorities have decided to take matters into their own hands.

The City of Sarasota just put its new ordinance into effect that makes it against the law for car stereos and portable electronic devices to emit sounds at a level that are considered “unreasonable.” The unreasonable portion is defined as: “plainly audible from 50 feet away or more during certain hours of the night and day,” according to Sarasota Patch.

Repeat violators of Sarasota’s law can be arrested.

The cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg are now taking the cue from Sarasota and are considering local laws of their own, according to The Tampa Tribune. Tampa plans to take up the discussion at the City Council’s May 16 meeting.

So, what do you think Tampa Bay: Should local governments crackdown on loud car stereos? And, for those Sarasota Patch readers out there: What do you think of your new law? Is it working? Tell us what you think by commenting below!