Riders and drivers in Switzerland could be fined if their engines make too much noise during the designated ‘quiet time’ of 10pm and 6am.
Between these hours no one is allowed to undertake any ‘avoidable noise’, for example building work, playing loud music or DIY. No noise can exceed a level which can be heard outside the room it is being made in – if that makes sense.

If anyone does make a noise, and is caught or reported, then they could face a huge fine of up to £8,800.

Avoidable noise includes internal combustion engines making ‘unnecessary noise with exhaust systems’. This is now a crime and can carry a fine of up to 10,000 Swiss Francs. It is also an offence to leave your engine running unnecessarily – this will now cost you 80 Swiss Francs instead of 60.
In order to catch noisy motorcyclists or motorists there are new ‘noise’ cameras on the streets which are triggered when they are passed by a noisy vehicle which is louder than 82 decibels. In areas where these cameras are not yet installed, the police are now empowered to do the job and stop the noisy vehicles which may have been reported to them by the public.

Ironically as laws get stricter to control loud noise, the Swiss government wants to make electric vehicles noisier so that they can be heard more easily by people with visual impairments when they are crossing the road. Life is increasingly strange.

So what do you think about the new Swiss initiative? Do you approve of quiet time? Let us know at [email protected] or on Facebook and don’t forget to tiptoe if you visit Switzerland!