TRAFFIC NOISE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26416, 21 March 1947, Page 4

TRAFFIC NOISE

HOSPITAL AREA PATIENTS’ COMPLAINT APPEAL TO ROAD USERS The reduction of traffic noise in the neighbourhood of the Dunedin Public Hospital has been a problem that has exercised the minds of the hospital authorities, the city traffic department and the patients themselves for-a considerable period and which still appears to be little nearer solution. A letter received by the Daily Times yesterday from a group of patients in the hospital brings forward once again this difficult problem. The letter complains of excessive traffic noises in the streets adjoining the hospital, particularly in the busy hours between noon and 1 p.m., 4 and and 6 p.m., and on Friday nights between 9 and 11 o’clock. Excessive speed and motor cycles figure prominently in the complaints listed. The letter prompted inquiries to be made by the Daily Times in the city yesterday. One remedy suggested was the imposition of a 15 miles per hour speed limit in King and Cumberland streets in the neighbourhood of the Public Hospital. „ This, it was contended, would reduce the traffic noise considerably. Another suggestion was that neon signs flashing alternately “ Hospital ” and “ Drive. Slowly ” should be installed at the approaches to the hospital area. A third was that warning signs should be changed frequently because motorists treated familiar ones with indifference.

“It rests almost entirely with the road-users themselves,” the chief traffic inspector, Mr H. E. Barrett, stated. “ It is a matter of road courtesy and consideration of the people in hospital. This department does everything it can to keep down traffic noises but apart from the enforcement of two by-laws there is not a great deal we can do. Our chief aim is to keep down noise at night,” he added. By-laws in Force.

. The by-laws in question referred to the sounding of warning devices between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. and the equipment of motor cycles with adequate silencers, Mr Barrett stated. Except in the case of an emergency, ho person could use a warning device between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. in a city or other populated area, and officers of the Traffic Department had spent a considerable time in the neighbourhood of the hospital checking the illegal use of motor horns. Motor cyclists were not allowed to operate machines, that were not fitted with effective silencers.

V Nothing can be done to stop motor cyclists from ‘ revving ’ and accelerating so rapidly that they make their machines roar,” Mr Barrett added. “ Even" though their machines are equipped with regulation • silencers, motor cyclists can create a great amount of unnecessary noise in this way. A lot of young riders do this for effect, but thanks to the Otago Motor Cycle Club a large number of cyclists are most considerate.”, Mr Barrett added that little could' be done to prevent traffic noise by day and especially at the hours referred to in the patients’ letter. Both King street and Cumberland street were important arterial roads and carried a great deal of traffic. Drivers were asked to drive courteously and considerately when passing the hospital. Excessive use of., motor horns was evidence of bad driving and there should be little need for Sounding the horn at all in the hospital area. Need for Co-operation . Automobile Association officials stated that few complaints were received from patients as to inconsiderate driving by motorists. Members had always been asked to drive slowly and carefully in the hospital area so as not to disturb the patients. There was, they admitted, a great need for co-operation by all motorists in keeping down traffic noise to a minimum. , The Otago Motor Cycle Club' takes direct action in ensuring that its members do not disturb hospital patients. It has over 200 members—about 25 per cent, of the motor cyclists in the city—and it is a club rule that members are not allowed past any hospital unless it is .completely, unavoidable. Not only does such a rule exist but it . is enforced, for committee men keep watch at various times to see that members comply with it.

In addition, the club endeavours to educate its members to ride carefully and quietly and so not be Rooked upon as a nuisance by the general public. Officials of the club state that their campaign is meeting with considerable success.