Noise polluting reversing alarms on heavy goods vehicles
Suggested by TimDE and tagged hgv, lorries, motoring regulations, noise pollution, red tape, regulations.
The big idea
Amend the "Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) 1986" legislation mandating the operation of an audible warning devices on reversing vehicles.
These audible warning devices do little for safety but create a cacophony of undesirable noise pollution.
Such devices presume an unwitting person will stand clear. However, if they miss the lorry movement and its engine noise they’ll be oblivious to a loud bleeper, won’t they?
Instead, legislate to install high mounted rear facing camera on heavy vehicles with restricted rear vision so the driver can properly see obstructions.
Why does this matter?
Noise pollution matters for quality of life.
Greater safety is to be achieve by a rear facing wide angle camera.
I live 300 metres from a gravel quarry and the main noise pollution from the site is reversing alarms.
I would be absolutely delighted if reversing alarms were banned.
I live opposite a council grit/road maintenance depot, we are subjected to these infuriating alarms at all hours of day and night – with a recent expansion in operations, during winter we scarcely get a full night’s sleep
I live near a small industrial park. When the industrial bakery started early shifts with reverse beepers, I asked for their help. They stopped overnight – thank you Village Bakery. A new industrial dairy has just been built alongside. 3.15 am shift starts with compressors roaring, by 7.30 its in full “beeper” swing EVERY morning 7 days a week. I tried polite requests. Now environmental health and planning are involved. EH have promised action – watch this space. If one company can be a good neighbour, so can others. If not complain, get the local council involved, if that fails, start a Press campaign – no one wants bad PR!
I live next door to a refrigeration depot and I have had a constant battle with these people. I did contact environmental health and they were helpful; to a point. The company went quiet when I had the data sheet to fill in which shows they can behave. annoying really
Wonderful idea, the pointless noise from these lorries is a real blight
I wholeheartedly agree that reversing alarms are the wrong solution to reversing vehicle hazards. I can regularly hear them some 200m away even with windows closed. Given that this is an urban area, that means many others are subjected to this annoying noise pollution.
we have just bought a cottage which stands on the valley side, at abermule in powys, directly opposite a council road maintenance yard. yesterday we were subjected to the sound of the reversing warning alarm on the tipper truck all day long. the yard is situated right next to the main road and the level of the alarm is very loud in order to compensate for the background road noise. it carries clearly through the still air and i have to say that it is a sound that is enough to drive anyone living in the vicinity slightly mad. we will have to sell our house if nothing is done about this noise pollution as i can’t cope with living with it.
Restrictions are already in place for unsociable hours. Please be very careful about how you word this. I agree that further restrictions can be placed upon these bleepers in depots where only authorised adults are allowed to operate; however, their complete banning would be unreasonable.
When children or the visually impaired are around, the audio warning system is especially valuable. Particularly in tight city areas or school areas. I do however think that the standard bleeping sound is outdated and could be more effective.
I favour the newer audio warning of “*Beep* Stand Well Clear; Vehicle Reversing” as this informs children to stand clear. I have seen this directly influence children’s actions when they hear a bus sound this alarm.
Of cause, one problem is the language barrier.
Please also consider that when trailers or large vehicles involved, visibility for the driver is of cause reduced. Without having some kind of warning, I can see many situations where a driver may unexpectedly reverse into the path of an unsuspecting person or vehicle.
Cameras may help but are not the answer, they do not offer enough observation for a driver to be able to rely on. Blind spots are an inherent hazard of large vehicles, and always will be. The key is being observant, taking things slowly, and warning people as best as possible.
Can I also take this opportunity to express a situation which happened to me, and which [to me] emphasises the need for audio warning systems on vehicles.
As I prepared to reverse out of a car parking space, I repeatedly checked all three mirrors and my side blind spots (this was in a Fiat Punto). And having assessed that I was clear to reverse, I slowly started my manoeuvre. I was instantly greeted by a shout for me to stop from a parent. Had I had been going any quicker I would have reversed the vehicle into a small child.
What had happened… Towards the end of my checks, between me looking from one mirror to the other, the child had walked past the car, and I of cause could not see the child in the rear view mirror as they were too small. It was a case of bad timing, which could not be helped – but the child did not know that I was reversing, and did not know to look out for an engine noise or reverse light.
**A point on engine noises; sometimes you cannot hear an engine noise when the engine is at the front (remember that the engine and trailer are separate)**
I spoke to the parents afterwards, no harm was done, but I let them know that for the future they should walk with their child when walking past parked cars to help prevent a similar situation. The adult’s height [so they could be seen in the mirror] and increased awareness would have prevented the issue.
I would actually advocate the fitting of audio warning systems to all vehicles; particularly considering the lack of skill which I often see on the roads!
People like you make life miserable for the rest of us Marvin
Marvin how about you wear a beeper on your neck every time you drive a car. Don’t put it in the back where you can’t hear it. Have a taste of your own medicine.
Sorry folks, but reversing alarms are not required by the C&U Regulations. They are fitted on a voluntary basis. The HSE does recommend that they are fitted to prevent accidents while reversing.
Reg 99 does seem to prevent their use on a “restricted road” between 23:30 and 0700. I do not know what a restricted road is, but I gues wee would call it the public road.