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A man was fined $200 for using a speakerphone at a train station, drawing attention to public noise restrictions. The incident has sparked discussions on appropriate phone use in shared spaces and the enforcement of noise control measures.
A man received a $200 fine for using the speakerphone function on his mobile device while at a train station in Nantes, France.
David was on a speakerphone call with his sister when an official from SNCF, France’s state-owned railway company, approached him and requested that he turn it off, according to CNN.
Believing the request to be a joke, David ignored the official and continued his phone conversation until he was handed a substantial fine. “I think the person was offended. She took out her notebook and fined me,” he stated.
Initially set at €150 (approximately $154), the fine increased to €200 (around $207) due to late payment. In response, David has sought legal representation to dispute the charge. SNCF confirmed that its security personnel issued the fine for causing a disturbance in the station's designated quiet zone.
The company further disclosed that a tense exchange took place between David and the railway employee before the fine was imposed.
SNCF informed BBC News that their security officers have the authority to issue fines to passengers both on trains and at stations. The penalty increased from €150 because the passenger refused to pay the initial amount.
Although using a phone on speaker in public is not illegal in France, noise regulations exist to control sound levels in shared spaces.
Noise pollution is a widespread concern in India as well. Last year, authorities registered a case against the organizer of a birthday celebration in Pimpri Chinchwad, Pune district, for allegedly breaching noise and environmental laws, creating a public disturbance.
The event involved loudspeakers and LED lights, which reportedly violated noise pollution guidelines and caused discomfort to nearby residents, prompting them to report the matter to the police.
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Source: NDTV
