Ear plugs whilst driving

[r1ot]

Driving my kit car around without a helmet albeit with goggles and a buff on. Without a windscreen the wind noise is considerable, enough to send me bastid deaf on long journeys. What's the legal standpoint of wearing earplugs whilst driving?

[Einion Yrth]

Can't see why not; deaf people aren't disbarred from driving.

[^Slider^]

No offence as far as im aware to wear earplugs.

Just need to be aware of what sounds you may miss such as emergency vehicles with sirons or others "alerting" you to their presence!

[7db]

No offence.

[Lamboandy]

Could be a bonus, especially if the missus has got one on her!!

Andy.

[classiccooper]

I've often wondered the same, I get a ringing in my ears after 1/2 an hour at 70 in the Cooper S

[Size Nine Elm]

7db said:

No offence.

None taken.

[Antz_Pants]

Bikers wear ear plugs as the noise from a modern lids at speed is considerable (>85db).

I had a custom pair made from a company that makes them for shooting, so they have a small filter built in that cuts out the noise of a gun blast. Very good and comfortable to boot, and you can still hear all but the highest frequencies.

[Antz_Pants]

Thats why I got the plugs.....

No ear drum transplants on the NHS at the moment.

[7db]

Size Nine Elm said:

7db said:

No offence.

None taken.

I wasn't really trying.

[Flat in Fifth]

Size Nine Elm said:

7db said:

No offence.

None taken.

It's all very well you giving no offence, except some bugger has nicked my gate.

[John Laverick]

I used to wear them in my track car on the way to events ... also wear them whilst out on the bike.

[BertBert]

I actually use a pair of shooting ear-protectors in my Caterham. I find them more comfortable than ear-plugs (and warmer too as the weather gets colder). As I am a driving-god with super-observation skills, I have no problem with any sneaky emergency vehicles!

Bert

[Stickers]

I raced production M/C's unlimited (GSXR 1100L) & 400's (Exup 400R) in the early 90's and using earplugs I could scrub off a second a lap @ Oulton Park (International Circuit) without trying!............incidently, the Yam was a good 5 sec's faster per lap than the Suzuki ever was.

[becca_viola]

Einion Yrth said:

Can't see why not; deaf people aren't disbarred from driving.

'zackly.

Also just to add - and I know I sound like a right young fart here - it's REALLY easy to knacker your hearing and there's bugger-all you can do about it once it's damaged. It's worth spending a few quid to get the job done and protect your ears properly.

[Richard C]

Tractor drivers wear ear defenders.....rally crews wear Peltor ear defenders with intercom headsets in them....etc

[Peter Ward]

I used to wear noise-cancelling HP on long journeys in my Impreza turbo. Very useful.

I now wear them if I go to the gym. They cut out most of the treadmill tramping and the rubbish wallpaper music. I do get the odd stare though!

[tom_loughlin]

I used to wear them on my se7en...never got stopped, but i can see no reason why it would be an offence.

[dandarez]

'course it's not an offence...
they can't even enforce the 'mobile' ban!
So how could an ear plug ban be enforced?

'Hello, hello, hello (showing my age ) would you mind stepping out of the car sir, spotted those ear plugs a mile back and you have made no effort to remove them'.

Personally, I would never wear them (love the noise!) and would rather be all eyes AND ears.
Saved me once with just a bump rather than a wrecked rear. At frotn of junction 'heard' squealing tyres, glanced up at mirror and then 'heard' that sound of indistinguishable crunching metal of cars behind me, while I had managed to release the handbrake which meant impact pushed me forward ending up only getting a cracked rear bumper.

Also why I never sit at junction with my foot on brake pedal, although pal of mine was told to actually do this when taking a police driver awareness course (rather than penalty points).

[7db]

dandarez said:

Also why I never sit at junction with my foot on brake pedal, although pal of mine was told to actually do this when taking a police driver awareness course (rather than penalty points).

Careful - more posts like that and you'll be consigned to the flat-caps in the Advanced-Driving forum...