More than 100 drivers of loud cars cited in Newport Beach on Sunday

A joint operation between the Newport Beach Police Department, California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Motor Vehicles and the California Bureau of Automotive Repair on Sunday yielded more than 100 citations for vehicle code violations.

Of particular concern was cars with a loud or modified exhaust systems being driven on the city’s streets, prompting numerous complaints to the police department over the last several months.

Newport Beach police spokeswoman Heather Rangel said the department launched a loud/modified vehicle exhaust and street racing enforcement operation on March 18 and the efforts will continue through the end of this summer.

The department reported that 136 vehicles were stopped by law enforcement on Sunday. Five were stopped for exceeding speeds of 100 mph. One was stopped for driving at 130 mph, another was a stolen vehicle. Officers inspected other vehicles on-site for modified exhaust-system violations or referred drivers to officials from the DMV for possible registration violations.

“Many of these types of vehicles gather at nonpermitted car shows and other locations within city limits,” said Rangel in a statement. “These loud and racing vehicles pose a safety risk and affect the quality of life of our residents and visitors.”

Police said they’ve placed several electronic signboards around town to educate residents and inform others about the actions that would be taken by local law enforcement. Rangel said officers have also gone to informal car shows to advise vehicle owners of the laws.

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