Whistle tips are modified exhaust pipes that emit a loud screeching noise when a vehicle is in operation. They were initially believed to be designed for rural areas to scare animals off the road but have become a nuisance in populated areas. Many municipalities have made them illegal due to the noise they generate.
Whistle tips, also known as whistle tips or whistles, are modified exhaust pipes that emit a screeching and hissing noise when the vehicle is in operation. The sound can reportedly be heard up to 1.6 km (1 mile) away. Many municipalities have made this type of tailpipe illegal due to the noise they generate.
Installation
To install the whistle tips, a small metal plate with a center hole is welded to the inner tip of the exhaust pipe. As air leaves the exhaust system under pressure, it passes through the metal hole and causes a hissing noise. Some people have likened the sound to the sound of train wheels screeching against the rails. Others call it a high pitched squeal. Modifying a vehicle’s exhaust system may not be legal in some jurisdictions and may void manufacturer warranties.
Speculation about its purpose
Many people believe that whistle tips were designed for use in rural areas. Cars or trucks equipped with them could scare animals, especially deer, off the road to prevent accidents. In populated areas, they have proven to be harmful and possibly a potential hazard to motorists. Some people claim that the whistle can even drown out the sound of an emergency vehicle siren.
Complaints and Legislation
Whistle tips gained notoriety in the early 21st century in California, where they were a growing local fad. However, many citizens complained about the noise caused by the vehicles that installed them. Online video of a television report on the controversy went viral, drawing several million viewers.
The continued complaints and pressure on local governments to do something about the noise eventually led to legal changes. In 2003, for example, police in Oakland, California, were handing out citations to cars that had them. Later that year, the passage of California Assembly Bill 377 made it illegal to operate a vehicle with these modified tailpipes in the state, and the law took effect on January 1, 2004. In most places where whistle blowers have become popular, legislation has been passed to make them illegal.
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