Traffic cops to launch anti-honking campaign

Mumbaiikars are constantly blasted by the cacophony of honking, without respite. And this trend has taken a dangerous turn causing havoc to peace and lives.

How bad is the scene?
On an average, the decibel levels reportedly increased to more than 100. This year, till August, 7,774 cases of honking has been registered with the traffic police department, a sharp spike from the previous few years.

How will the traffic dept tackle this?
Keeping this in mind, the Mumbai traffic police department is planning to launch an anti-honking campaign in association with NGOs and RTOs to tackle the honking menace. As B K Upadhyay, joint commissioner of police, traffic, said, "The situation has become unbearable. It is time we discipline drivers as in 90 per cent of the cases, they do it for no reason. People need to understand that the horn should be used only when it is required. In our city, it is used irresponsibly, which is in tun leading to stress and many other health issues."

Tech to track obsessive honkers
The department will partner with NGOs such as Awaaz Foundation to work for the cause. Upadhyay said that the initiative will be launched after a month and that the traffic police is trying to work out a technology to track obsessive honkers in the city via control room so that a hefty fine and punishment can be imposed on them.

Will penalty be hiked?
The department will approach the government to triple the Rs100 fine which may act as a deterrent. The department is also looking at a mechanism whereby horns of automobiles will stop working after it has been used twice or thrice. "We will be banning multi-tone horns, reverse horns, etc, in cars and repeat offenders will not be spared. There will be strict monitoring in no-honking zones. Currently, fine for honking is only Rs100 and we will be approaching the government to triple it."

How will a campaign help?
The department is planning to deploy dedicated police personnels to track honking cases in all the affected areas in the city. "During the campaign, we will be working towards creating awareness through streets shows and by putting up banners all over the city about the harmful affects of honking. We will be partnering with radio channels as well to promote the cause," added Upadhyay.

With the youth join the cause?
Sumaira Abdulali of Awaaz foundation said that while it is planning to partner with the traffic police, it is also planning to rope in RTOs, driving schools, BMC, etc for the cause. "We will be encouraging youngsters to take to the streets and persuade motorists to stop honking. We will also appeal to RTOs to ban illegal horns and the traffic department to increase fines. It is very difficult to really monitor the honkers by constables on roads as it is chaotic. Monitoring via high-end technology will go a long way in penalising the offenders," said Abdulali.