This sounds like a specific study that covers locations, rather than targeting noise source.
Here, I am going to bring to your attention to a recent phenomenon.
As you know by now, Singapore has the world's most number of millionaires per sqm. I don't have the statistics, but this probably correlates to the density of expensive fast cars in Singapore.
With the concentration of fast cars and egos in Singapore, we have come to witness more and more of these cars racing on the roads.
Check out this video made by tourists from the 54th floor of Swissotel. Obviously, it is an 'organised' race (albeit illegal) because the race went on and on with more than a handful of cars involved. The tourists heard them zooming past while they were walking to the hotel, and still managed to film the racing cars AFTER they made their way up to the 54th floor of the hotel.
In fact, there are many such videos on Youtube, because such sports car behaviour is getting too common in Singapore.
There are 2 problems here. (A) Crashes and (B) Noise.
Both ought to be factors of Road Safety.
Yes, noise at high levels is unsafe.
(A) Crashes
These drivers obviously get the kick out of a 'real city circuit'. As if they were participating in the Singapore F1 city race. If you notice, they were racing past normal traffic.
Also, such sports car behaviour has resulted in many accidents, mostly involving the sports car driver inadvertently 'losing control' of his machine. E.g #1, E.g. #2. O_o
I'm sure % of sports cars getting involved in accidents is higher than that of normal cars.
(B) Noise
At 54th floor, the digicam could capture the noise created by these machines so clearly. Imagine if you were at road level, standing beside such cars. These machines are so loud that you can feel the vibrations within your rib cage.
These machines are too loud for everyday use on public roads. And to make things worse, these drivers get a kick out of revving their engines, especially at the traffic junction while eyeing the traffic lights. Now, you just need a little girl standing innocently at the junction, waiting to cross the road.
Let's not assume that these powerful monstrous machines are gonna run the little girl over, coz the fast car egos are gonna tell you their driving skills are superior to us Toyota-driving commonfolks.
Let's just think about how the loud explosion of the engine is enough to shatter the little girl's vulnerable eardrums for life.
Who's gonna pay for that?
Her parents may not even have the time to note down the licence plate number of the sports car. Even if they do so, what's the law gonna say? Is it ILLEGAL to be loud on the streets?
Even if compensation is obtained, are your kids' eardrums worth the risk?
So, you parents out there...
Remember to keep a lookout while out on the streets with your your kids. Remain vigilant and quickly remind your kids to cover their ears in time whenever you spot these sports cars coming from a distance. They move about fast and loud.
..........................................................
Why should a few (rich) egos cause so much dis-amenities and even permanent damage to the rest of us?
I say, we nip the problem in the bud.
Control the use of such vehicles.
This could be via a host of measures, e.g. licensing of the driver of powerful vehicles, limiting the maximum noise level of ALL vehicles (some bikes are loud too) + specifying that noise creation above X-decibels on public streets is illegal, allocating specific locations where such vehicle-users can rev their engines and wring their egos etc.
Policy changes, legislation changes, enforcement, public awareness... Loads to be done.
Do not pick the easiest.
Do not shape the follow-up actions to this problem with merely "ease of administration" in mind.
Phronesis... If you don't know what that is, try to learn about it... And perhaps you may gain some in the process.
Let's not wait till one of our kids gets damaged.
Or is it that the norm these days?
Who wants to his kid to be the sacrificial lamb?
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar