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Drivers blaring high-decibel horns will get an earful from the law
The WHO says noise pollution seriously harms human health and interferes with people's daily activities
Vehicle owners using ear-splitting, high-decibel air horns and modified silencers face being muffled under noise pollution laws. But police say no one is officially complaining. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Palitha Fernando told the Sunday Times, that incessant noise is tantamount to public nuisance under the law. But, he said, it was surprising how only a few people bother to object to, and complain about noise pollution, despite the constant irritation.
Acoustic calibrators – class 1 (sound level meters) are being bought to test the decibel levels of vehicle horns. Random checks are planned and warnings will be issued. Repeat offenders will face a court date.
Banning the use of pressure horns and fancy silencers from cars and motorbikes is essential to controlling noise pollution in the city where noise levels are 15 per cent above the limits, according to data from a study by the University of Moratuwa.
Sri Lanka has 3.2 million motor vehicles.
The Central Environmental Authority is implementing a noise pollution control programme to create awareness of the over-use of vehicle horns, as well as rules and regulations.
“Spreading awareness of noise pollution is every individual’s responsibility,” CEA Chairman Prof Lal Dharmasiri said.
Drivers should not use horns that exceed 105 decibels within a two metre range, while the sound should not exceed 39 decibels with a seven metre range.
Random samplings of noise pollution gathered by CEA officials at the Colombo main bus stand on a working day has shown that noise exceeds the maximum 65 decibels between 10.am and 8 p.m.
“More awareness should be created among people on how much noise pollution is created by fancy silencers and honking, ” said M A P Hemachandra, chairman of National Transport Commission.
Noise levels are determined by measuring sound pressure over a period of time in a designated area. Noise is measured in decibels, a logarithmic unit of sound intensity. The permitted noise level within Municipal Council or Urban Council limits is 63 decibels during the day and 50 dB at night. In a silent zone, the upper limit is 50 dB by day and 45 dB at night.
During peak traffic hours, the noise level on Galle Road and along Parliament Road can go up to between 75 dB and 78 dB, according to Hemachandra.
The Police Environment Protection Unit will act on complaints about noise pollution, under Public Nuisance regulations.
Under the Motor Traffic Act, drivers of moving or stationary vehicles may not fit loudspeakers or amplifying equipment on their vehicles. Vehicles should also be fitted with silencers.
“All motor vehicles with an internal combustion engine shall be equipped with an efficient silencing device through which all exhaust from the engine is projected and which prevents the creation of undue noise,” the Act states.
Environmental lawyer, Ravindra Ruberu, told the Sunday Times that, usually, handling of noise pollution cases is difficult, as the offence has already been committed and no evidence is available of it having occurred, when authorities move in to investigate.
“When there are musical shows, by the time the police come to investigate, the musical show is over,” he said.
Noise pollution is unseen but not unheard. The World Health Organisation has sounded an alarm over the dangers of noise pollution. It says noise pollution seriously harms human health and interferes with people’s daily activities.
Noise pollution also affects the emotional and psychological levels by increasing the stress and anger levels, the WHO says.
“You may not be able to see the negative effects of noise, but noise pollution is just as bad for health as any other form of pollution,” said Dr H. Fernando, ENT surgeon at Ragama Hospital.
Prolonged exposure to sound exceeding 80 decibels can cause a number of health conditions, inlcluding tinnitus, sleep disturbance, pain, fatigue, cardiovascular problems, stress, hypertension, high blood pressure, aggression, and even hormone issues.
Students exposed to high levels of noise may have difficulty concentrating, and may suffer memory loss, he added.