The growing nuisance of loud vehicles

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing to express my growing frustration with the unbearable noise levels caused by modified motorcycles and cars across our island. Day and night, our peaceful communities, sleeping children and the elderly are disrupted by the deafening roar of vehicles that have deliberately had their silencers removed.

A few years ago, a Jamaica Observer article highlighted a joint operation between the Island Traffic Authority (ITA) and the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) to clamp down on loud motorcycles. At the time, officials promised to remove defective, noisy bikes from the roads.

Unfortunately, this issue has only grown worse. The noise pollution from both modified cars and bikes is out of control, and rules against excessive exhaust noise appear to be completely ignored.

We need consistent, islandwide enforcement rather than short-term operations. Our citizens deserve peace in their own homes. The ITA and the Jamaica Constabulary Force are urged to launch a renewed, aggressive campaign to permanently clear these public nuisances from our streets.

CONCERNED CITIZEN