Traffic Noise Has Negative Consequences

In most cities, traffic noise has been getting louder and louder. Research is now showing that noise levels that are well below levels that damage our hearing can cause increased blood pressure, fatigue, stress and near schools it interferes with learning. Children exposed to noise that was greater than 60 decibels learned far more slowly and have difficulty with speech recognition than children who experienced noise levels below 40 decibels. These children in the higher decibel schools learn to tune out the noise, but they also tune out speech.

A study of lower income people living in homes in the Los Angeles-Long Beach region found that 220,000 were so troubled by traffic noise that they wanted to move.

Since SUVs and other light trucks produce twice as much noise as cars, just by requiring quieter tires and exhaust systems would have a major impact on reducing noise levels. As a matter of fact, that is precisely what the Japanese government is requiring of it auto makers.