Curbs on vehicle horn pollution

Disna MUDALIGE

New regulations proposed to the National Environment Act to control noise pollution caused by vehicle horns will be presented for Cabinet approval shortly, said Environment Minister Anura Priyadrashana Yapa. Addressing a press conference at the Ministry premises on Thursday he said that the new regulations will be implemented once the gazette notification is approved by Parliament.

According to the new regulations the maximum level permitted for a vehicle horn noise within a two metre open air space from the front of a vehicle will be 105 decibels while this will be 97 decibels within seven metres. The regulations apply when the vehicle is not moving and as when its engine is switched on.

Ambulances, trains, fire brigade vehicles, police vehicles, and vehicles used by the Armed Forces are exempted from the regulations.