Stop honking, fight pollution

Traffic cops finally wake up to make Hyderabad honk-free

In a unique initiative, the Hyderabad Traffic Police is sending out text messages asking motorists not to sound the horn unnecessarily. About 20 lakh motorists received a text message on Tuesday from the traffic police reading: “Noise pollution is injurious to health and unnecessary honking is punishable under Rule 119/120 of MV Rules, 1989. Let us make Hyderabad HONK FREE”.

The traffic police has also tied up with network service providers to create awareness about noise pollution among motorists. The traffic police has used social media platforms to put out similar messages. SMSes have been sent to more than 20 lakh people in the city. However, the traffic police do not have the number of drivers of RTC buses, lorries, taxis and autorickshaws, the SMEes have been sent out to. These drivers have come in for flak for honking ruthlessly on the roads.

Mr Ahsan Pasha, a road safety expert from Traffic Sense, said, “This appeal is better late than never. At the same time, driver training schools should inculcate this habit among new drivers. It does not make sense if the police appeals against honking and the driver training schools train drivers to honk.”

The traffic police has also started a 60-day ‘zebra crossing challenge’ to make motorists stop before the line. A team was appointed to click pictures and videos and to share them on social media.

Traffic Police additional commissioner Anil Kumar said, “This is part of our campaign to create community awareness on traffic issues. By sending bulk SMSes we have maximum reach to the community and can have better results.”