Noise pollution: Citizens urge authorities to launch campaigns against pressure horns

Drivers continue using horns despite their ban in residential areas

RAWALPINDI: Citizens have called on the Rawalpindi Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) and other relevant authorities to launch a special campaign against pressure horns being used in vehicles across the city.

Amjad, a student, said that pressure horns are illegally installed in private vehicles, particularly public vans, pickups and taxis which create noise pollution.

He said, despite the rules banning the use of pressure horns, the owners of these vehicles continue to play with the eardrums of citizens.

Abid, another citizen, said that the authorities should give attention to the harmful physical and psychological impacts created by the use of pressure horns.

Although the use of these horns is strictly prohibited in certain zones, especially near hospitals, residential areas and educational institutions yet the drivers particularly of public service vehicles and those riding bikes, honking pressure horns has become a normal activity in the city.

This not only shows their impatience but also their sheer insensitivity towards the rights of others.    According to medical experts, noise pollution could cause serious health problems like irritation, hypertension, tinnitus, sleeping disorder and paralysis. However, on the city roads, the motorists are using such horns that otherwise should not be used even in big vehicles.

Though the relevant laws exist, the authorities appear to be least bothered to implement them.

Periodically, campaigns are launched by the police department for the implementation of traffic rules but the desired results could not be achieved particularly to remove pressure horns from vehicles.

The authorities should launch a vigorous and incessant campaign against the use of pressure horns and impose heavy fines on their users to purge the city roads and surroundings, residents urged.

Police should show the same kind of commitment, the one exhibited by Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) over the use of helmets by motorbike riders.

Rashid, a school teacher said that awareness campaigns should also be launched especially on print and electronic media over the harmful effects of pressure horns.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2018.