The traffic statistics are generally such that there is more traffic every year, which is perfectly understandable, but I would like to highlight a particular type of traffic here, and that is motorcycle traffic, or motorcyclists and quadricycles. There is considerably more of this every year compared with other types of traffic, and this type of traffic is predominantly carried out for the purpose of enjoying the ride and has no other necessary or economically justifiable basis, which is mainly just spending leisure time on the roads. In 2007, just over 70,000 single-track vehicles were registered in Slovenia; last year the figure reached 100,000, and there are no figures for this year. The noise limit values are set by the Regulation on noise limit values, up to 75dB during the day. Official measurements have been carried out on one regional road, which is heavily affected by this traffic, and have shown that noise levels were well above the permitted limits, up to 92dB.
The consequences of this way of relaxing and enjoying oneself are felt by residents and visitors or tourists in the countryside, particularly in the Alpine valleys and passes. Quiet villages on fine afternoons and weekends turn into an intolerably noisy environment with hundreds of motorists seeking relaxation on the country roads, causing us danger, noise, nervousness, stress and, last but not least, excitement. Causing a nuisance is an offence in law! I should also mention that many motorcyclists have so-called "GoPro" action cameras installed to record themselves and our private property.
Few motorcycles are ridden in a nice smooth, calm, controlled manner and few make as much noise as, for a layman's comparison, the average family car at the same speed. Manufacturers and dealers who put such noisy engines on the market and fail to measure noise and emissions at roadworthiness tests also bear a significant responsibility. Most people drive in a manner of accelerating wildly out of a corner, then braking before the corner, then accelerating wildly forward again. There is a thunder from the tailpipes, there is a smell of petrol fumes and the drivers of such vehicles will have to start realising that they are making life very difficult for other road users and for the citizens of the places where most of this traffic takes place.
Proposal for a solution: the relevant institutions and authorities in the country should think carefully and take the decision that single- and four-wheel motor vehicles should be subject to a roadworthiness test to measure exhaust volume and emissions, since over the years the silencers on the engines no longer perform their function as they did at the time of the type-approval of the vehicle in question. The silencers should be sealed so that the exhaust assembly cannot be tampered with unofficially, and the number plate should under no circumstances be modified to be mounted more obliquely or moved high below the rear light. The formats of number plates also vary and some of the smaller plates are poorly legible and as such allow a kind of anonymous road user and are not identifiable in the event of an accident. It would do the empty coffers of the state a great deal of good if we also introduced a higher toll and registration fee and a higher tax for these vehicles, which are mostly for pleasure, and exempted those for whom this is their only means of transport. I would also suggest that, for areas located in or adjacent to Natura 2000 sites and similar protected areas, this type of traffic should be restricted, as it also disturbs protected species.
The quality of life in the Alpine valleys has deteriorated considerably in recent years thanks to this type of traffic. The Austrians and Italians have already taken some measures, such as daily driving bans on certain roads, mountain passes, etc.
In the hope that you will approve and vote in favour of the proposal, I warmly welcome you!