Despite several efforts by well-meaning citizens and traffic experts to discourage people from honking, it all seems to be falling on deaf ears. The general consensus now seems to be that vehicle manufacturers should do away with horns entirely.
The Bangalore Traffic Police have booked 5,285 cases against shrill horns so far this year, and a further 1,604 cases against those who used horns in prohibited zones. However, the situation is worsening.
“I have been pushing for ‘No Honking Mondays’ for close to four years now. The move was mooted with an aim to make travelling on Monday more pleasant for people as it is the first day of the week. The practise of not honking needs to be ingrained into the people slowly and I think it will happen,” says Ravishankar of Group JOY, which looks at traffic issues in the city.
The issue is not one that can be policed easily. People need to see that while they do not carry horns on their person to honk at people in their way while walking, the same principle must apply when riding/driving on the road.
However, put a steering wheel or a bike handlebar in their hands and all of a sudden honking seems almost mandatory. While the city sees people who honk to warn everyone around them to stay away, there are people who honk in tune with the music playing in their heads, and then there are the irritated and tired commuters who just want to escape the massive traffic jams.
With the number of vehicles growing with each day, the situation can grow only worse, claim experts.
The only solution that comes to mind is the removal of all horns or their strict regulation to ensure that no one crosses the optimum sound limit.
(Reporting by
Dhiraj Shetty)
