Oversized Car Stereos Assault the Quality of Life

“Honk If You Love Quiet” (April 22) rightly points out that noise pollution is a growing problem. As one who has suffered a partial hearing loss, I have grown especially agitated with many of the culprits listed in the article. The most offensive is the noise created by oversized car stereo systems, whose drivers take great pride in rolling down their windows to share their music with the rest of us.

The article failed to mention some of the other major offenders, like Harleys, low-flying helicopters, car alarms and train whistles that annoy us at all hours of the night. We are so conditioned to living in a noise-polluted society; the level of our conversations has also risen. With the advent of cellphones there is hardly such a thing as a quiet restaurant anymore. It is indeed becoming intolerable for those of us who value our peace and quiet.

Larry Tamblyn

Northridge

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Regarding the wholly human-caused problem of urban noise pollution, my only complaint is that you barely mentioned the problem of loud car stereo systems, which cause ear-splitting and house-rattling noise from hundreds of feet away. This is purely discretionary noise, and is often used by gang members (or wannabes) to force others to recognize them. It is also already illegal. Section 27007 of the California Vehicle Code, as well as the municipal codes of almost all cities, specifically outlaws any car stereo noise “which can be heard outside the vehicle from 50 or more feet.” I call on all peace officers to stop these bullies from their attempts to disturb the quiet enjoyment of others.

Douglas Dunn

Escondido

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A man complains that traffic and truck noise is driving him nuts within the walls of his own home. The police chief he writes to about this “politely” explains that such noise is a “low priority,” regardless that nuisance laws are being broken by the minute. How many more laws and crimes are falling into that “low priority” category? When was the last time you witnessed a traffic cop pull a car over because its stereo could be heard half a mile away? Or a Harley rider because he wanted his ride to be heard in the next city? Or saw an officer cite a smoker for throwing a cigarette out the window?

This thing called “quality of life” is directly proportional to the degree the “little laws” are enforced by those we pay to enforce them.

Ron Romanosky

Tustin