CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Lawmakers are considering a new measure to tone down motorcycle noise, but critics say it won’t work any better than previous efforts to quiet the machines.

The state would be better off enforcing laws that already exist, including one that limits the noise motorcycle mufflers can emit to 106 decibels, according to Sen. Robert Letourneau, R-Derry.

“The bottom line is law enforcement doesn’t want to do the sound testing,” he said. “They’re claiming it’s too cumbersome.”

Authorities say they lack the manpower and equipment to perform sound tests on motorcycles, though they acknowledge that when they have issued noise-related tickets without performing the tests courts have dismissed the fines.

The proposed law would ban so-called “straight pipes” and impose fines between $200 and $500 on motorcycle riders who have such equipment. Straight pipes refer to mufflers that lack noise dampening devices.

The bill also increases the fine for motorcycles emitting greater than 106 decibels of noise. The current fine is about $43, but this bill raises that to between $100 and $300.

Letourneau says the straight pipe law would be difficult to enforce.

“Apart from tearing apart a muffler, it’s pretty difficult to tell if it has baffles,” he said. “There’s a new style of pipe that are out with baffles in them made to look like straight pipes and they are popular. People like that look.”