Alarmingly Useless: The Case for Banning Car Alarms in New York City

BanCarAlarms.org

Ban Car Alarms Home
•
Introduction
•
Summary of Findings
•
The Cost of Car Alarms
•
Audible Car Alarms Don't Work
•
Auto Theft - Prevention Devices That Do Work
•
Car Alarms and the Law
•
Appendix A: Car Alarm Noise Cost Model
•
Appendix B: Legal Authority of New York City to Ban Audible Car Alarms

Alarmingly Useless:
The Case for Banning Car Alarms in New York City

Download the full report in PDF format

Introduction

Of all the ways that automobiles impinge on the lives of New Yorkers, few are as infuriating and unnecessary as the audible car alarm. It is hard to find an issue that generates such a visceral and unanimous response from one end of the political spectrum to the other: car alarms make New York City a worse place to live. With the City having taken on squeegee men, sidewalk cyclists, and cigarette smokers, it is time to go after Quality of Life Public Enemy #1.

T.A. undertook this study to determine the costs and benefits of audible car alarms in the nation's densest urban environment and to map out a strategy for banning audible car alarms in the five boroughs of New York City.

Next: Summary of Findings