Pumping Up the Volume Could Put a Dent in Your Wallet

Drivers thumping the summer's biggest tunes on their stereo while cruising around Bolingbrook may be in for a hefty fine.

That is, if they are caught.

Bolingbrook's Village Board  approved a measure Aug. 24 that increases the minimum fee for driving with your stereo turned up too loudly to $250.

Violators were already subject to a maximum $500, but the village decided to raise the minimum after residents complained about loud music while driving around town, said Bolingbrook Mayor Roger C. Claar.

"The residential streets were not designed for a rolling rock concert," Claar said. "Maybe now we'll get some attention that these (cars) cannot be as distracting (as they are)."

The fine is more than double the minimum fine in surrounding villages. Plainfield and Woodridge both charge a minimum $75 per violation while Romeoville fines a minimum of $50 per violation.

The ordinance, which goes into effect immediately, would apply to any music or beat that could be heard within a 75-foot radius of the car.

But enforcing the new policy will be tricky.

As it stands, drivers can only be cited by police officers who see or hear the offense. Alert drivers wise enough to turn the volume down when approaching a squad car may escape attention.

Claar said he hopes the higher fine will be the muscle of the new policy and intimidate drivers into keeping their music at a reasonable level.

Claar also said residents are encouraged to report violations to village officials if they see them on the road. Even if you don't know who is driving the car, Claar said, a resident could report the make and model or a license plate number and the village would have a police officer contact the offender "to explain to them that that is not the way to drive their vehicle in this community," Claar said.