Europe

United Kingdom - Anti-Noise Site Launched

A new website is working to raise awareness of noise pollution issues, and allow users to sign a petition to pressure the UK government to act on protecting residents from noise nuisances.

Noisy Vehicle Exhausts & Noisy Car Sound Systems

United Kingdom - Birmingham Going After Booming

Drivers who boom as they cruise around Birmingham will be hit by hefty fines. In Spring 2005, a task force, the first of its kind in Britain will hand out fines to boomers. Birmingham noise abatement teams are joining forces with police against the noisemakers who have become a menace. They are also exploring whether in extreme cases we can confiscate the equipment.

Fixed penalty fines of £80 could be handed out to the drivers under the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003. The aim of the task force is to concentrate on problem areas of the city using West Midlands Police and environmental health powers.

United Kingdom - Glasgow Getting Tough on Noisy Neighbors

The Glasgow City Council's Noise Pollution Unit launched a £125,000 advertising campaign to tackle anti-social noise and nuisance in February 2005. The television, radio, newspaper and billboard ads is designed to increase public awareness of nuisance noise - images include a snarling dog, drills and ghetto blasters.

For thousands of people living and working in Glasgow, noise pollution is a major problem and has led to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders being granted for the worst offenders. Of the complaints received every month by staff in the council's Noise Pollution Unit, top of the list of moans are dogs barking, DIY activities, loud music and noise from parties.

About 400 complaints are handled every month. Since last May, 275 warning notices and 14 fixed penalties were issued against offenders. The council work with police to provide a comprehensive 24-hour noise control service. When a complaint is received, officers can issue issue warnings to noise makers. In addition to fines, stereo systems can be seized. In Edinburgh, teams go around the city at night using special equipment to record domestic noise levels.

United Kingdom - BBC World Service - Noisy Ape

Mankind has spent the entire last century making itself louder. A great deal louder. But why? And what are the consequences? Louise Fryer investigates in Noisy Ape, a four-part series on BBC World Service. Two members of the NoiseOFF coalition are featured in the story. Presented in streaming audio format.

BBC World Service - Noisy Ape

United Kingdom - Mini Cooper Boom Car

BMW have launched a Mini Cooper with a stereo system that could burst your eardrums. The German car maker was criticized by noise, health, safety and motoring organizations.

The Sunday Mirror - The DINI Cooper (2004)

Malta - Noise Pollution

I live on a main road (my choice) in a second storey apartment and sometimes I cannot hear my own television set due to what I call the Boom Boom cars.

Times of Malta - Noise Pollution (2005)