Mick Green Independent candidate for the 2009 local election has criticised the efforts made to deter boy racers.
In a statement to the Kilkenny Advertiser, Mr Greene said, “I am not satisfied that the construction of a few bollards in Woodies car-park will alleviate the suffering of a large number of Kilkenny residents whose lives are regularly disturbed by the noise pollution associated with boy racers.
“If elected, I will propose the introduction of a bye-law that makes it an offence to drive a vehicle that causes undue noise pollution around Kilkenny or its environs. Undue noise pollution has been defined by the EU Directive on Exhaust System Noise Level (70/157/EC ) and subsequent amendments. The permitted limits are 74dB (decibels ) for cars and 80dB for specific goods vehicles. There are hand-held noise-meters available on the market that will allow Gardaí to monitor decibel levels and decide whether vehicles are creating a public nuisance. These have been used to great effect in Edinburgh in Scotland.
“Any fines imposed should be used initially to offset the cost of the purchase of this equipment but could be used to fund youth development programmes in the long-term,” he concluded.
