Noise pollution and other issues

I came across an article that said modified motorcycle mufflers are dangerous. There is a trend among scooters and motorcycles with modified or custom mufflers to rev up the engine to its limit, creating a cracking or popping sound. Mechanics do not advise this because it puts unnecessary stress on the engine. True enough, many videos on social media show engines catching fire or even blowing up after doing this stunt. I don’t shed a tear for these incidents.

I have always been writing about extremely noisy mufflers on some motorcycles. From what I understand and have been informed, there are ordinances in almost all cities and municipalities regarding the prohibited use of these modified, custom, open mufflers. But just like many other laws and ordinances, the PNP and local governments hardly enforce them. There are also public utility vehicles with ear-splitting mufflers, particularly jeepneys. Again, they are not cited for the noise they make. Some private vehicles also have custom mufflers that emit more noise than the original ones. Who wants to hear these noisy mufflers at night when people need their rest, and when students need their sleep?

Noise pollution is something the government needs to address. There is no need for these noisy mufflers to be used on everyday vehicles. I would understand if they were installed on specialized performance or racing vehicles that run on racetracks. But installing them on a scooter used as a courier or delivery service vehicle is absolute nonsense. Having them only enables drivers or riders to go faster on public roads if only to hear their noises.

I’m aware of what transpires on the Marilaque Highway during weekends when these “weekend racers” drive their scooters as if they were riding the big bikes seen on professional racing circuits. These riders steeply bank their scooters at popular curves like the Devil’s Corner where crowds gather. There are many videos of these scooters crashing after banking too steeply or for some other reason. Some crashes involve and inconvenience other vehicles, and some are even fatal. It’s as if an open muffler automatically transforms the rider into a professional racer.

Some parts of Marilaque have law enforcement officers who apprehend riders going too fast or banking too steeply, but they cannot cover all of the curved portions of the highway. The crowds are also partly to blame for these accidents because a big part of driving fast and banking steeply is to show off. If there are no crowds to show off to, I doubt if riders would perform these actions. With the ever-growing number of scooters and motorcycles on the road, the above issues must be addressed by the government to ensure safe driving and riding conditions for all.