“TERROR "FOR MOTORISTS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 8 November 1935, Page 8

“TERROR "FOR MOTORISTS

British Drivers Must Not Exceed the Phon Limit NOISE TO BE AN OFFENCE NEW TRANSPORT REGULATIONS (From Our Own-Correspondent—By Air Mail.) LONDON, Oct. 19. The Ministry of Transport has discovered a new offence for the muchharassed British motorist —exceeding the phon limit. At present few motorists know the meaning of the word phon. They soon will know.

It is a new unit of measurement for noise. Makers of cars, motor cyclesand commercial vehicles may soon be compelled to test their products by the phon measurement before placing them on the market. At least they will have to do so if recommendations in the first interim report of the Departmental Committee of the Ministry of Transport on Motor Noises issued this week, are adopted.

The Minister has visualised the possibility of policemen carrying in their equipment a noise meter by which they can decide if a vehicle is exceeding the phon limit. This is not a new joke. It is deadly serious. The report recommends: “On and after August 1, 1936, no motor cycle, motor car, heavy vehicle or motor tractor .shall be offered for sale unless it complies with the requirements stated 'below —the loudness at a point distant laterally ISft. from the midpoint of the vehicle shall not exceed 90- phons on the scale.”

To illustrate the proposed new phon regulations the Ministry of Transport solemnly invited the Press to a demonstration at the Ministry. The demonstration was carried out by Dr. G. W. C. Kaye, of the National Physical .Laboratory. He explained that a door slamming registered 80 phons, a busj. typing room 90, a pneumatic drill 110, and an airplane engine close upon 120 phons. He illustrated his points with a phonmeter, a soTt of wireless set, and a scale.