andMr. D. Andrews asked the Minister for the Environment if he intends to introduce legislation to control the noise level of motor bicycles, stating clearly the acceptable level of noise for such vehicles.
Written Answers. - Noise Level Legislation.
303.
Mr. N. Andrews
The Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963 require, inter alia, that when in use in a public place: (a) a motorcycle must be fitted with a silencer to reduce noise to a reasonable level, (b) the silencer must be maintained in good order and may not be altered in such a way as would cause greater noise, and (c) a motor cycle may not be driven in a manner as to cause excessive noise which could be avoided if reasonable care were exercised.
Enforcement of those regulations is a matter for the Garda Síochána and penalties are imposed by the courts for breaches of the provisions. These penalties were increased under the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act, 1984. The regulations do not specify precise noise emission levels. Prosecutions are based on ordinary observation and judgment. I have no proposals to amend these provisions at the present.