Boy-racers could drive you mad

Boy-racers' exhausts were ranked as the number-one annoying noise in New Zealand. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Boy-racers could literally be driving the country mad from the noise their cars create, according to a survey by the National Foundation for the Deaf.

The foundation commissioned the survey on what noises New Zealanders find most annoying and could be making them physically or mentally ill, in the lead-up to yesterday's inaugural Noise Awareness Day.

Persistent noise has been linked with increased stress levels, headaches, aggressive behaviour, loss of sleep and even heart disease and high blood pressure, the foundation said.

Boy-racers' exhausts were ranked as the number-one annoying noise in New Zealand, followed closely by dogs barking and car or house alarms.

Snoring, children crying, "body noises" such as chewing or whistling, and other people's mobile phones ringing also ranked in the top 10.

The foundation's executive manager, Marianne Schumacher, said the government should put in place controls to protect citizens from the adverse health effects resulting from long-term noise exposure.

- NZPA