TOI: NO HORN PLEASE: March 07, 2008

Mumbai: Mumbai Police’s traffic wing has already got in touch with leading NGOs dealing with environmental issues to make their plans for the No-Honking Day a success. 

 Volunteers from these NGOs, armed with decibel meters, will visit prominent junctions of the city on three consecutive Mondays in the run-up to the big day. Data will be collected and compiled on sounds emitted by different vehicles and the information will then be used for a comparative study.

   Sound emitted by two-wheelers, for example, will be classified into one category. Similarly, among fourwheelers, the sound emitted by heavy and light vehicles will be tabulated separately so that officials have specific information.

Traffic police will then concentrate on those vehicles which create maximum noise after studying all the data.

But this does not mean that unnecessary honking is a one-day issue for the city’s traffic department. Officials have already studied the problem and have noticed that maximum honking happens, strangely, outside schools and colleges (when classes begin or end) and cinema, theatre and public halls when events like award ceremonies or religious discourses are scheduled. 

   “Motorists are also impatient at traffic signals. You are sure to hear a dozen horns barking at you if your car does not budge the moment lights turn green,’’ a senior Mumbai Police traffic department official told TOI on Thursday.

  The traffic police has continually acted against motorists honking unnecessarily or those honking in silence zones. “We deploy a night staff of 60-70 traffic policemen across the city, who keep patrolling in different residential colonies. They keep a special look-out for people coming home late in cars or those leaving in the wee hours. Our officers prosecute people if they use shrill or multi-toned horns,’’ deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Harish Baijal said. “A fine of Rs 100 is levied for unnecessary honking and musical horns attract a fine of Rs 500,” he added. 

   “Unnecessary honking and using shrill horns are a menace and we want to appeal to all citizens to help us curb it,” joint commissioner of police (traffic) Vijay Kamble said.

   “Citizens who spot such a phenomenon can post a complaint on the traffic police website (http://www.trafficpolicemumbai.org /) and provide the registration number of the vehicle as well as the motorist’s address or housing colony (if they are aware). Anonymous posts are also accepted,’’ a senior official said.

ONLY FINES, NO TEETH

The law in Mumbai allows traffic police to only fine motorists who use the horn needlessly

PENALTY | OFFENCE

Pay Rs 500 | if you are using a multi-toned or a shrill horn. Pay Rs 500 | if your car’s silencer or sound-muffler is not working. Pay Rs 100 | if you are using the horn in a silence zone. Pay Rs 100 | if you are honking unnecessarily.

THE LAW

Sections 177 and 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, Sections 115 and 120 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and Sections 21(i) and 21(ii) of the Rules of Road Regulations allow police on the road to fine you.
The same set of rules also allow cops to fine you upto Rs 500 if you have a smoky exhaust.
Using a horn or alarm while reversing is also punishable by law.

THE GUILTY

The traffic department of Mumbai Police undertook a special drive this year to clamp down on vehicles using pressure, musical or reverse horns and those honking unnecessarily.
1,283 people have been fined for these offences in January and February 2008.

THE SILENCE ZONES

100 METRES FROM EACH OF THESE PLACES