Prosecutor Sergeant Kenny Jones of the Police Traffic Department told the Court on Wednesday that teachers have been complaining that they have to stop teaching when vehicles stop or pass playing loud music in proximity of their schools.
Jones made particular mention of the minibuses who serve the bus stop next to the Girls’ High School.
In addition to the GHS, the Boys Grammar School and the Kingstown Preparatory School are also within that vicinity.
Sergeant Jones’ comment came as he prosecuted persons for traffic offenses, many of whom were charged in connection with playing loud music in public places.
In relation to this offense, persons are charged with playing a musical instrument in a public place without the written permission of the Commissioner of Police. They are charged under the Traffic Regulations, with the Noise Act being used reference as a source of a definition for a musical instrument is.
Speaking with us on Wednesday, Sergeant Jones admitted that the issue of loud music in vehicles is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
Jones confirmed that the complaints not only come from schools in close proximity to the bus stop next to the GHS but from other schools which are located next to bus stops.
He also said the general public, including those who use the buses, have also been complaining for quite a while.
Some persons, with whom we spoke to, expressed the view that the solution to the problem is to take the music systems out of the vehicles.
One man said that the perpetrators pay the small fines comfortably, and walk out of the Court smiling, but the problem remains.
“We will create a generation of deaf people, something needs to be done now,” one woman said.
Some people complain of not being able to sleep properly at night because of the loud music coming from passing vehicles.
Source :The Vincentian