A Rs100 fine for unnecessary honking has failed to deter Mumbaikars.
The alarming rise in the number of vehicles plying city roads has not just added to overall air pollution, but also intensified the honking menace. A number of citizens have complained to the RTO and the traffic police through various media, to no avail.
“Bikers and four-wheel drivers have pressurised horns that are commonly used. Their honking on the roads is getting louder by the day as the traffic increases, and the authorities are sleeping over it,” said R Subramanian, a Chembur resident who lives along the Eastern Express highway.
“People lose patience as they wait in traffic,” said Runwar Saha, who shot off a letter to the RTO about the noise. “A halt of more than 30 seconds, and people begin to honk — as if honking is going to move traffic! Your psyche and well-being are affected adversely especially if you’re a pedestrian moving along a traffic snarl.”
As per existing law, motorists are barred from installing horns emitting over 80-85 decibel. However, activists have found honking levels up to 100 dB on congested streets. Multi-tonal horns and pressure horns are also banned under the rules.
According to the existing provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, a fine of Rs 100 can be imposed for unnecessary honking. The Maharashtra transport department had framed a proposal to amend the Act and hike the fine to Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000, but the issue is still pending.
“Since it is a Central law, a request has been made from our side to the Centre,” a senior RTO official said.
Mumbai traffic police, however, claim that they have registered honking offences against 14,294 offenders, and collected fines up to Rs 9,68,300, as of June 2011. The latest figures are not readily available.
(with inputs by Dayanand Kamath)
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