A motion for a resolution to penalise users of excessively loud smartphones in public transport in the Belgian capital has been tabled in the Brussels parliament.
Announcing their motion on Tuesday, Brussels liberal parliamentarians Anne-Charlotte d’Ursel and David Weytsman said their aim was to “combat noise pollution through smartphone loudspeakers" on the Brussels inter-urban transport company, STIB, network.”
They want to see sanctions imposed on users who oblige everyone else to listen to their music and/or phone conversations.
The two MPs base their proposal on a recommendation from the recently-held Brussels deliberative commission on noise, which they say, clearly called for raising awareness of the use of loudspeakers on public transport.
However, “the Brussels government has not followed up this recommendation with any effect," Anne-Charlotte d’Ursel commented in a press release."While the majority of STIB users are aware of the principle that their freedom ends where that of others begins, some still don’t seem to be aware that using a loudspeaker can be a real nuisance to the people around them. I am astounded by the number of people who adopt such behaviour.”
For David Weytsman, the proposal is anything but trivial. Numerous studies demonstrate the harmful effects of noise pollution on health.
Little is said about noise pollution in buses, trams and, in particular, underground trains. Yet their users often spend almost two hours a day in the stations and vehicles along their route whereas an unpleasant level of noise is not only a nuisance, but also has potential consequences for hearing and general health.
