Asheville Police Crack Down on Speeding, Street Racing After Resident Complaints

Asheville Police issued nine citations Saturday evening in a targeted downtown enforcement operation, responding to a wave of complaints from residents, visitors, and business owners fed up with speeding, suspected street racing, and illegally modified exhaust systems.

Every citation issued during the April 4 operation cited the same statute: North Carolina General Statute 20-128, which prohibits operating any motor vehicle without a muffler in good working order that prevents excessive or unusual noise. Under state law, cutting out or bypassing a muffler is independently illegal, and any vehicle manufactured after model year 1967 must retain its factory emissions control devices.

Interim Chief Jackie Stepp framed the operation as a direct answer to what residents have been telling the department. "Our community has been clear about what they're experiencing," Stepp said in a news release. "This isn't just about enforcement. It's about making sure our downtown remains a safe, welcoming place for everyone."

The violation carries real financial consequences: because NC 20-128 is a non-moving violation, a citation does not add points to a driver's license or trigger insurance rate increases, but a conviction still brings court costs and a fine set at sentencing. Aftermarket straight-pipe setups and muffler delete kits can draw a citation independent of speed, meaning drivers with modified exhaust systems are at risk any time officers run a proactive operation downtown.

APD described the crackdown as a proactive policing initiative, not a one-time sweep, signaling that enforcement in the downtown corridor will continue as complaints about reckless driving behavior mount.

Residents who witness speeding, street racing, or vehicles with illegal exhaust modifications can report incidents to the Asheville Police Department's non-emergency line at (828) 252-1110. Noise Compliance staff review all complaints submitted to APD and follow up for additional information when needed. Note the location, direction of travel, and any vehicle description that can be safely observed. For an immediate safety concern, call 911.