Police gear up to silence air horns

Rampant use of such horns has increased noise pollution

For any regular road user in Vellore, the sound of blaring air horns is nothing new. The rampant use of such horns, especially in private buses, has increased the noise pollution and distraction on the roads, prompting the Vellore police to crack down against violators.

In the last three days, the traffic police have been checking vehicles, particularly private buses that have installed air horns and removing them, and also imposing a minimum fine.

Complaints galore

A traffic police officer said that the special drive was launched following the instructions of the district Superintendent of Police. “We received several complaints about these air horns causing noise pollution. The blaring sound distracts the motorists. Besides, the use of such horns near hospitals disturbs the patients,” said, G. Lakshmanan, traffic inspector of Sathuvacheri.

“We launched the week-long drive three days ago in Vellore city and Sathuvacheri. We found that private buses use the air horns more than any other vehicle. We have removed air horns from at least 15 buses and imposed a minimum fine of ₹100,” he added.

He further said that the department had given three days time for vehicles to remove the air horns. Although the government buses do not use air horns, he said that the depot managers have been intimated against their use.

Two-wheelers with musical horns fitted on them are also being checked, the officer added.