Earn the gratitude of the public and clamp down on noisy motorbikes now
WE DO feel some sympathy for hard working deputies who are unable to get anything done due to our sclerotic system and budget restraints. There is a serious risk that this States may well be remembered as the worst in living memory.
There is, however, one simple and very cheap action that this States could, and should, do that will earn the eternal gratitude of the vast majority of islanders and visitors alike. It would also provide a major improvement in our environment.
We should immediately adopt the UK traffic noise limit of 76 decibels. Our existing legislation says that ‘motor vehicles shall not make excessive noise’.
That line should be changed to ‘motor vehicles shall not make noise in excess of 76 decibels’.
We understand that the Law Officers have said that this is a simple amendment to make. We do appreciate that enforcement will follow as and when noise cameras can be installed but the law should be changed now so that noisy vehicle owners will understand what modifications they will need to make.
This States would then go down in history as the one that drew the line in the sand and took this bold step for a great improvement in our Environment.
R F WHARTON
Pleneuf Court
St Andrew’s