Brussels, 09/12/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 9 December, the European Commission presented a proposal to reduce the noise produced by vehicles, trucks, buses, coaches, vans and heavy goods vehicles.
The upper limits for noise will be cut in two stages by 2 dB(A) each for passenger cars, vans, buses and coaches. For trucks, the reduction would be 1 dB(A) in the first stage and 2 dB(A) in the second. The first stage would be implemented two years after the publication of the text, once it has been approved by the European Parliament and the member states, and the second three years later. Overall, these measures will reduce vehicle noise nuisance by around 25%. The Commission also intends to bring in a new, more reliable testing method to measure noise emissions. It also proposes that electric and hybrid electric vehicles may be fitted with an optional sound-generating device to make these vehicles safer. The noise emissions limits have not changed since 1996, despite increasing traffic levels.
The World Health Organisation has concluded that traffic-related noise may account for 1 million healthy years of life lost per year in western Europe. Reducing traffic noise is therefore vital to improve the health and quality of life for the citizens of Europe. (OL/transl.fl)