In late July, a police checkpoint created a hubbub among several motorcyclists passing through Arundel, who reportedly felt harassed.

Out of 137 vehicles stopped, the checkpoint nabbed 28 drivers, mostly motorcycles, who were lacking inspection stickers or registrations.

Additional checkpoints are planned by the York County Sheriff’s Department for Kennebunk and Kennebunkport later this summer, according to Sheriff Maurice Ouellette.

Making sure that all vehicles are inspected and registered is important to maintaining safe roadways. Inspections check for mechanical problems, tire wear, electrical systems and other important components of every vehicle to ensure its safety. Broken blinkers and worn brakes certainly affect other drivers who share the road. Registration is also key, as it provides the state with significant income and gives police the information they need when an accident or crime occurs involving a vehicle.

Normally, the only time police can check on these items is when another infraction has occurred, such as speeding, but the occasional checkpoint serves to remind motorists that the inspection and registration are necessities.

That reminder was just a side benefit, though, as the July 25 checkpoint seemed to be directed at loud motorcycles, which have been a source of contention in the area for years. The stops were an opportunity to alert motorists of the new noise law, which was enacted July 12.

The new law prohibits “excessive or unusual noise” requires a muffler on all motor vehicles and prohibits modifications to the exhaust system to increase noise. It also requires that motorcycle headlights be kept on, that seating be permanent and restricts the height of handlebars, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

The law is an attempt to quell the noise problem that residents of Arundel and the Kennebunks have been complaining about ”“ and it’s about time that the police make a concerted effort to address these complaints. Anyone who is complying with the law wouldn’t be terribly upset about having to pull over and produce their inspection and registration for police, so long as the checkpoints don’t happen every day.

Unfortunately, many people were not happy because many motorcycles in the state ”“ it’s estimated at about 40 percent ”“ are not inspected, partly because many of them have exhaust systems that are too loud to pass inspection.

The United Bikers of Maine has been working hard to increase awareness of the new law and tell its members that proper mufflers are a must. Its leaders complain that a few bad eggs who like to rev their straight pipes for attention are creating a negative image for the majority of bikers who ride quietly.

The Sheriff’s Department and Kennebunk and Kennebunkport police departments should be commended for setting up the checkpoint and finally doing something to get the word out that excessive noise will not be tolerated. No one likes to have their conversation interrupted by a blaring motor passing by their house or business. One can’t expect peace and quiet next to a major road, but there’s no need for an unmuffled vehicle that jars anyone who is within its considerable earshot.

Bikers have complained about laws being directed solely at motorcycles, singling them out when there are plenty of unmuffled and “boom cars” making noise, too. This new law gets them all, though, cars and bikes alike.

The checkpoint was set up on Route 1 between Limerick Road and Campground Road, a well-traveled section of a state road and an area from which many motorcycle noise complaints have generated. Some patrons of Bentley’s Saloon in Arundel said they felt harassed by the checkpoint, which wasn’t far from the popular biker destination. It’s unclear if the police chose the location because of the saloon, but if they did, what better place to nab unmuffled motorcycles than enroute to one of their possible destinations?

The saloon has been battling excessive motorcycle noise themselves, with verbal warnings and signs at their exit, and the business has suffered for it because of neighbors’ complaints. The saloon’s owner, manager and supporters have said repeatedly that the noise is not their problem ”“ it’s a national problem that needs to be addressed by state or federal laws and enforcement.

So Bentley’s should be glad that police are enforcing this new noise law and increasing knowledge of it. The quieter their patrons, the more support they will see.

If enforcement continues in such an aggressive manner, obnoxious motorcyclists will get the idea and concede to a muffler, giving everyone’s eardrums a rest. Perhaps they can find another way to get attention ”¦ Helmets are still optional, so maybe a funny hat would be in order?