Lakewood Looks to Curb Loud Music From Vehicles

People driving with the music too loud may now face a citation in Lakewood. 

A new piece of legislation introduced to Lakewood City Council last week looks to curb “noise disturbances from motor vehicles.”

Council reviewed a “housekeeping” ordinance that would bring the city in line with 14 changes to the state’s updated traffic code.

But there are a couple of additional measures that council is considering adding to the list.

One of them would regulate “noise disturbance from motor vehicles.” In other words, the new ordinance would make it a minor misdemeanor — on the first offense — to drive with the music too loud. 

Subsequent offenses committed within six months of a prior offense would be fourth-degree misdemeanors, according to the proposal.

“Noise disturbance from motor vehicle audio systems disrupt the peace and quiet enjoyment of this community,” the proposed ordinance reads.

Additionally, “noise disturbance from motor vehicles create a dangerous condition on the roadway for other vehicles and pedestrians." 

The second proposed measure would clarify the language for those driving without license or those with a child support suspension in Lakewood. 

Kevin Butler, the city’s law director, told city council that the 14 ordinances “would harmonize the Traffic Code… with recent legislative enactments made by the Ohio General Assembly within the state traffic code.”

Those measures include items that clarify the language for rules and offenses such as drunken driving, U-turns and traffic signals — among others.

Council is expected to discuss the proposal further at its Nov. 5 meeting.