Motorists travelling to Europe this summer face hefty penalties under stringent new noise regulations that came into force this year.

Switzerland has expanded its "quiet time" rules, which run from 10pm to 6am, to specifically target noise from loud vehicle exhausts.

Creating "avoidable noise" with internal combustion engines during these hours is now a criminal offence.

Courts can impose fines of up to 10,000 Swiss Francs - approximately £8,990 - for drivers who cause unnecessary noise with their exhaust systems.

Britons are being warned of potential fines for driving loud vehicles in a popular tourist destination this year

The regulations form part of Switzerland's broader quiet time restrictions, which already prohibit loud music, films, instruments and DIY work that can be heard beyond the room where the activity takes place.

Even leaving an engine running unnecessarily now attracts an increased penalty, rising from 60 to 80 Swiss Francs, or between £54 and £72.

Swiss authorities are deploying noise cameras to enforce the new rules, which activate when vehicles exceed 82 decibels.

Where automated systems aren't installed, police officers patrol known trouble spots and investigate complaints about noisy motorists.

Noise cameras were first rolled out in Kensington and Chelsea in 2020

The country has also outlawed intentional modifications to exhaust systems, maintaining its stance against vehicles altered to produce excessive noise.

In contrast to these restrictions on traditional vehicles, Switzerland is introducing opposite requirements for electric and hybrid cars.

From mid-2025, these quieter vehicles must generate artificial noise to alert visually impaired pedestrians of their approach.

It comes as Kensington and Chelsea Council continues its own crackdown on noisy vehicles through acoustic cameras positioned across the borough.

The technology, first piloted in 2020, now operates on Holland Road, Holland Park Avenue, Kensington High Street and Sloane Street.

The initial trial in Sloane Street and Pont Street between September and December 2020 saw cameras triggered nearly 2,000 times.

During that period, the council issued 163 fines and 69 warnings to drivers, though not all triggers resulted from anti-social driving as emergency vehicles and lorries also activated the system.

The Holland Park Avenue location was added after residents successfully bid for funding through the Neighbourhood Community Levy. The council has indicated plans to expand the scheme to other wards as more data is collected.

Noise cameras have been used in Kensington and Chelsea to detect loud vehicles

The enforcement programme has proved highly effective, with Kensington and Chelsea Council issuing close to 1,000 fines to drivers exceeding legal sound limits by October 2024.

Holland ward Councillor Johnny Thalassites, who introduced some of Britain's first acoustic cameras on Holland Road, said: "It is not acceptable for boy-racers to surpass 100dB in their vehicles, the same volume as a jet engine at take-off.

"This makes it almost impossible for residents to get a good night's sleep and can affect people's health."

Brompton and Hans Town ward Councillor, Sof McVeigh said: "I am pleased acoustic cameras are resulting in fines and that the deterrent is having some effect."