Noisy cars disrupt peace

Muscat, dec 27

In winter, many speed enthusiasts enjoy installing additional parts on their car engines, to get louder engine sounds and give their vehicles a feeling of power and speed.

Despite their apparent joy in the strong sounds emanating from their vehicles, this loudness causes great inconvenience to passersby, residents on the sides of the roads, and even to families wishing to enjoy the beauty of the cold winter weather and camping.

Fahad al Mughairi, a resident of Southern Al Ghubra, said such noise has become a part of his daily life due to the modification of car engines. He emphasised that the disturbance caused by modified vehicles poses a real challenge for many families residing in buildings near the highway leading to Bausher Sands.

“The sound of modified engines decorates the area, but the resulting noise is a real concern at night, especially when tranquillity is desired,” he said. He explained that his children sometimes wake up startled, making their sleep difficult thereafter.

Anas Yousef, another concerned parent, said, “in winter, especially during vacation times, families are always looking for quiet camping places, such as beaches or sands like the Bausher Sands location. However, the disturbance caused by modified vehicles and sand bikes, which annoys both children and the elderly, turn the camping experience into a challenge for them.”

He stressed the importance of educational programmes targeting youth, raising awareness about the impact of their behaviours on others, calling for stricter supervision and penalties for violators. He emphasised that users must enjoy their activities responsibly and not disturb others, whether they are residents, road users, or even campers.

However, Yousef al Abari said that he does not oppose some young people enjoying their hobbies, such as off-road sand driving, which requires significant modifications to the car engine. He emphasised the importance of providing suitable places for these young people to pursue their hobbies, urging them to stay away as much as possible from places where families are looking to enjoy the winter atmosphere.

Al Abari encouraged young people to enjoy their hobbies in designated areas, confirming the importance of avoiding negative impacts on residential environments and family gatherings. By doing so, a balance between the right of young people to enjoy their activities and the right of others to enjoy their daily lives without disturbance will be achieved.

Mai al Abri, Bausher resident, said she suffers from the noise resulting from loud vehicle music. “I have seen some young men playing the recording devices in their vehicles loudly, and insisting on opening their windows, which cause inconvenience and distress. There is a need for action to be taken,” she said.

Just like Mai, Laila al Kaabi also suffers from the same problem, especially late at night, when the sounds of loud music blare from some young people’s vehicles, without any care, causing inconvenience to families.

According to the Royal Oman Police (ROP), raising the volume of the radio or any other audio device much higher on the road is considered a traffic violation, resulting in a recorded point on the driver’s record and a fine of RO 10. Additionally, screeching tyres to draw attention is also a traffic violation, with a recorded point and a fine of RO 35. Driving a vehicle or motorcycle in the places where they are not supposed to be driven is another traffic violation, resulting in two recorded points and a fine of RO 50. Furthermore, drifting is considered traffic violation, with 3 points and a fine of RO 50.