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Music banned from minibus, taxis

Aug 08, 2008 News

“A driver of a motorbus or hire car shall not play or allow anyone to play any music in the motorbus or hire car whilst the motorbus or hire car is plying its route or parked in a public place”

By Gary Eleazar
The National Assembly yesterday outlawed all music in public transportation, be they minibuses or taxis.

The definitive measure was made possible through the successful passage of the Summary Jurisdiction (Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2008 that was tabled by Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee and supported by both sides of the House.

The Bill amending the Principal Act will come into force as soon as President Bharrat Jagdeo assents to it, giving police the requisite legislation to prosecute drivers who contravene the provision of the Act.

According to the legislation, “A driver of a motorbus or hire car shall not play or allow anyone to play any music in the motorbus or hire car whilst the motorbus or hire car is plying its route or parked in a public place.”

Drivers found to be in contravention of the new law will be subjected to a fine of not less than $7,500 or more than $15,000, and imprisonment for six months.

A second or subsequent conviction is punishable by a fine of not less than $10,000 or more than $20,000, and imprisonment for 12 months.

Rohee, in presenting the legislation to the House, said that an overwhelming majority of Guyanese were placed in great discomfort, being affected by such loud music.

He added that the move was for a complete ban of music, and not putting a decibel level at which music could be played.

He said that he did not envisage police officers with several sets of detecting equipment, such as radar guns and decibel meters, operating in the streets of Guyana.

The Home Affairs Minister told the House that no law could please everyone. He emphasised that loud music was identified as a reason for accidents.

In illustrating his point, he noted that the reaction time for drivers who are bombarded with loud music was significant, and there were records to show that loud music was responsible for several accidents.

He also noted that the legislation, when looked at in its totality, addressed several technical, moral and cultural aspects, such as loudness and lewdness of music played in public transportation.

“Complaints have been legion in respect to the types of music being played….We have to consider the general well-being and good of the public.”

Speaking from the People’s National Congress Reform benches, shadow Legal Affairs Minister Clarissa Riehl told the House that her party supported the legislation, but that there must be strict enforcement.

According to Mrs Riehl, there is already legislation to deal with noise nuisance in public, but non-enforcement of the law has caused the problem to spiral out of control.

She was referring to areas like promotional dances, such as Bar-B-Qs, music push carts and night clubs, among others.

She noted that the legislation must also be accompanied by an education drive that must first be aimed at the enforcement officers, noting that the Police Force must begin at the level of the Felix Austin Police College (FAPC).

“We have to bring the culprits before the courts, or else passing legislation will not mean much.”
Alliance For Change Leader (AFC) Raphael Trotman commended Minister Rohee for the initiative, noting that national good outweighed personal pleasure.

Rohee acknowledged that education was a critical part of ensuring that the legislation proves successful, and committed to have the police be educated from the level of FAPC.

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