The European Parliament approved the report of Czech MEP Miroslav Ouzký which should help reduce the amount of noise emissions from road traffic. Noise from the engines of newly manufactured cars would reach a maximum noise level of 70 decibels within six years after the regulation comes into force.

The European Parliament approved the report of Czech MEP Miroslav Ouzký which should help reduce the amount of noise emissions from road traffic. Noise from the engines of newly manufactured cars would reach a maximum noise level of 70 decibels within six years after the regulation comes into force.

“The report represents a reasonable and a good compromise between the ideas and requirements of the automotive industry, NGOs and the Greens,” said rapporteur Miroslav Ouzký after the vote. “Both trucks and private cars will be quieter but without harming the position of European carmakers in the world market.”

The specific values of sound limits were the focal point of a political fight between right and left, which had adopted the requirements of environmental lobby groups for the introduction of absurdly strict limits. The compromise presented by the rapporteur Miroslav Ouzký, which basically coincides with the proposal of the European Commission, was supported by a number of members without regard to political affiliation from countries with a strong automotive industry. This industry creates, according to rough estimates, about fifteen million jobs across Europe.

“Even as a doctor, not as a politician I can not ignore the effects of noise on human health,” says Miroslav Ouzký. “On the other hand we must realize that the automotive industry was in recent years burdened by other regulations. In the past year CO2 emissions regulation was adopted, it has been preparing regulation of tires and safety requirements are tougher and tougher. The automotive industry in South Korea or China does not deal with such restrictions. This puts European manufacturers at a disadvantageous position.”

As Miroslav Ouzký pointed out, the legislation deals only with engine noise. Other factors have a significant effect on overall noise, such as the quality of the road or traffic management. “If a truck passes municipalities smoothly and without stopping the noise level becomes much more lower than by engine modifications,” says Ouzký.

The regulation adopted by the European Parliament must be approved by he Member States. Even so, this measure will be effective for the next generation. “Legislation deals with new cars. The evolution of new engines takes about seven years, and fleet replacement cycles specifically in the Czech Republic take more twelve years. Figuratively speaking, an acute noise problem in a number of European cities will be not solved by this regulation,” says Miroslav Ouzký.