The city of São Gonçalo has stepped up enforcement against noisy and irregular motorcycles as part of its Tolerance Zero initiative, officials said. Launched in response to community complaints, the programme has focused on motorcycles with illegal exhausts, modified silencers and missing registration plates, aiming to tackle noise pollution and improve safety on city streets.
São Gonçalo Tolerance Zero operation
Since April 2025, municipal teams have carried out more than 14,000 motorcycle inspections across São Gonçalo at varying hours and locations, according to the Secretariat for the Environment and Transport. The drive is intended to be routine and visible, officials said, with patrols taking place several times a week to deter repeat offenders.
In 2025 alone, authorities seized over 450 motorcycles deemed irregular. Seizures included machines that failed the decibel metre test, vehicles reported stolen, motorcycles without plates and units whose riders attempted to flee from enforcement teams. Nearly 2,000 traffic citations have been issued to riders for a range of violations.
Municipal sources said the operation combines environmental and traffic enforcement objectives. Noise pollution has been a persistent complaint in many neighbourhoods, and organisers argue that unchecked modifications to exhaust systems not only raise sound levels but can also indicate other irregularities that endanger road users.
The Tolerance Zero operation is conducted with the support of the Segurança Presente programme, the 7th Battalion of the Military Police and the Municipal Guard. Officials highlighted the co‑ordinated approach as essential to ensuring legal procedures are followed during inspections and seizures.
Enforcement teams use decibel metres to assess whether an exhaust meets legal noise limits. Motorcycles that exceed permissible levels are ticketed and may be removed from circulation. The municipality has emphasised that the action is about both enforcement and education: alongside fines and removals, officers seek to inform riders about legal requirements and the broader effects of noise pollution on local quality of life.
Fabio Lemos, Secretary for the Environment and Transport, said the measures have yielded measurable results. “Actions take place routinely across the municipality, several times a week, at different times. We are managing to tackle noise pollution; infringement figures have fallen alongside removals for irregularities,” he said. Lemos added that the city intends to continue the campaign into 2026, with further operations planned to raise awareness and promote compliance with both traffic and municipal regulations.
Local authorities framed the campaign as part of a broader effort to make São Gonçalo’s roads safer for pedestrians and drivers. By targeting modified exhausts and other visible infractions, the municipality hopes to reduce nuisance noise and the potential risk posed by improperly maintained or illicit vehicles.
Residents and civil society groups who requested action welcomed the intensified enforcement, though advocates for motorists urged clear communication and accessible compliance options to avoid disproportionate penalties. For now, municipal leaders stress that the Tolerance Zero operation will continue to balance sanctions with outreach, aiming to normalise lawful behaviour among motorcyclists while protecting community well‑being.
Key Takeaways:
- São Gonçalo Tolerance Zero operation has conducted more than 14,000 motorcycle inspections since April 2025.
- In 2025, authorities seized over 450 irregular motorcycles and issued nearly 2,000 fines to reduce noise pollution and improve road safety.
- The initiative, backed by Segurança Presente, the 7th Military Police Battalion and the Municipal Guard, uses decibel metre testing to identify illegal exhausts.
