As our population grows, and because restrictions against loud mufflers have been suspended, our valley is awash in loud, loud mufflers from motorcycles, cars and ATVs. A profound decrease in one’s civic responsibility to the well-being of all citizens is also on the wane and contributes exponentially to this problem. There is ample research to show that an increase in noise pollution is detrimental to health..
We have jet noise, helicopters, private airplanes, freeway noise, roadway noise, leaf blowers, lawn mowers, edgers, dogs barking, heavy construction equipment, and mufflers, mufflers, mufflers, 24/7. We each respond differently to noise pollution. On one extreme are those who rarely hear it and on the other, those of us who hear it continuously, and whose health, both mental and physical, are affected.
Those who love to roar their mufflers no matter the time of day, including well into the night time hours, tell sensitive individuals to wear ear plugs. Typically, very sensitive people find ear plugs difficult to wear. Is there only the right to make noise and not the right to have quiet?
It’s time to reinstate the segment of the law that restricts loud muffler noise. It’s an unfair burden on a large swath of the population. And, can we bring back a sense of caring for others with a loving heart, recognizing that unnecessarily loud noises are hurtful?
“Researchers and clinicians are trying to change this. They’ve shown that noise pollution not only drives hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypersensitivity to sound, but can cause or exacerbate cardiovascular disease; type 2 diabetes; sleep disturbances; stress; mental health and cognition problems, including memory impairment and attention deficits; childhood learning delays; and low birth weight. Scientists are investigating other possible links, including to dementia.”
Cali Letts, Holladay
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