Liberal Democrats back music ban on public transport in England

Authored by Daniel Fink, MD, Chair, The Quiet Coalition

In England, the Liberal Democrats is the name of a party in Parliament, not a slur on fellow citizens. The United Kingdom newspaper The Guardian reported that the Lib Dems have proposed a ban on playing music and videos on public transport. A poll commissioned by the Lib Dems found that 38% of respondents reported they had experienced people playing loud music on their phones often or sometimes. Most said they would not feel comfortable asking someone to turn down their music on public transport.

The party’s home affairs spokesperson said that, “Far too many people dread their daily commute because of the blight of antisocial behavior — and headphone dodgers playing loud music on buses and trains are some of the worst offenders.”

France already has similar laws. According to the French Transport Code, those who “disturb the peace of others by noise” in public transport areas can be penalized.  Earlier this year, a man was fined 200 Euros for making a call to his sister using the speaker function on his phone.

Photo credit:  Pixabay

Our noise colleague Arline Bronzaft has often said that the basic principle governing our behavior when in the company of others should be respect. I agree with Arline. When smoking was allowed indoors, a smoker would ask someone sitting nearby, “Do you mind if I smoke?” Some people didn’t mind, or were too shy or scared to speak up if they did. I always said, “Yes, I do mind. Please go outside.” Legislation banning indoor smoking solved that problem.

Noise has been called “the new secondhand smoke.” I think those using public transit have a right not to be disturbed by the noise of others. I hope this proposed law is passed in England, although I’m not sure anyone would notice a problem on the noisy subways in London.

Regardless, just as I don’t want to smell or inhale someone else’s secondhand smoke, I don’t want to hear his or her music. Nor do a significant proportion of those surveyed in England. As with secondhand smoke, citizens need legislation, regulation and enforcement.

Quieter public transit there, as part of a quieter world, will be a better and healthier world for all.