People who play loud music on buses and trains should face fines of up to £1,000, ministers have been told.
The Lib Dems have demanded tougher action on “headphone dodgers”. They say a majority of passengers feel too intimidated to speak up – and called for new rules to protect the “quiet majority”.
A poll commissioned by the party found nearly four in ten people had experienced the scourge of music or videos being played out loud during their journey. The Lib Dems have called on the Government to change the law to ban this behaviour.
Home Affairs spokeswoman Lisa Smart said: “Far too many people dread their daily commute because of the blight of antisocial behaviour — and headphone dodgers playing loud music on buses and trains are some of the worst offenders.”
The research found 54% of Brits do not feel comfortable asking someone to turn the volume down. Ms Smart continued: “Time and time again, I hear from people who say they feel too intimidated to speak up when someone is blasting music or other content from a phone or speaker.”
She said those who do so are showing “complete disregard for others” and added: “It’s time to take a stand for the quiet majority who just want to get from A to B in peace.”
The Lib Dems urged the Government to amend the Bus Services Bill – which is going through Parliament – to bring in the new law. And the party said railway bylaws should be changed to include playing music and vidoes out loud.
A poll by Sevanta of 2,174 adults found 63% of women and 46% of men would not feel comfortable confronting loud passengers.
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