Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) would like to send noisy cars and motorcycles for a technical inspection if they are suspected of not complying with legal standards.
Van den Brandt's suggestion came after the topic was raised by fellow Groen MP Lotte Stoops, who highlighted the issue: "The effect of noise on our health is too often underestimated. Noise pollution kills, which is why we need to make some noise to stop it."
Engine revs, thundering hi-fi systems and the sound of tampered exhaust pipes are keeping the people of Brussels awake at night, Stoops stated. "Many noise-related offences can be attributed to just a handful of perpetrators."
Van den Brandt announced that technical examiners had received equipment enabling them to check vehicles for noise pollution. She favours allowing police to send noisy drivers to get an inspection when they apprehend cars that they believe fall short of vehicle standards.
The minister specified that if the vehicle is in order, the cost of the technical inspection would not be charged to the person concerned. She explained that she is currently working on a framework agreement on this.
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For her part, Stoops has called for coordinated police action, pointing out that strict noise control and the application of sanctions were among the recommendations made by the deliberative commission on noise pollution a few months ago. She also asks that police zones and the Brussels government pay more attention to anti-social driving behaviour, which disrupts the capital day and night.
Brussels Environment is due to submit the results of an analysis carried out since the first half of the year using two noise radars, which measure the noise of individual vehicles.
