Truck noise has become a real nuisance on Cayman. But it appears the police do not care to enforce the law that trucks meet manufacturers’ standards. Some of these trucks emit up to 90dB of noise, and seem to enjoy doing so.


Auntie’s answer: I checked with the RCIPS about your question and a spokesperson first explained that the truck noise is a result of an additional brake that is supposed to be used if the vehicle is going down hills with a large load. This brake is a factory-set feature so comes with the truck. Clearly there is no need for this extra brake in Cayman.

Previously, when the police have received complaints from the public they have issued warnings to the trucking companies and enforced the applicable part of The Traffic Law, 2011 that deals with excessive noise, the spokesperson explained, pointing to Section 93 (1), which says, “A person who does any of the following commits an offence and is punishable under section 138…
“(f) uses a vehicle with its engine in such a condition that it gives out 
excessive or obnoxious smoke, fumes, noise or odour;
“(g) uses a horn or other audible warning device on a vehicle excessively or in such a way as to cause unnecessary discomfort 
to another person.”

The spokesperson added, “If there is a complaint from the public about this then we will send out a reminder and look out for this offence.”

I was also told that now that I have notified the police that the public is annoyed by this noise, they “will address the matter accordingly”.

Let’s see — and hear — what happens.

The law mentioned in this column can be found on the CNS Library