Chinchwad, 5th November 2023: In an innovative move to combat noise pollution caused by incessant honking, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Traffic Police have launched the ‘No Horn Day’ campaign. This unique initiative is scheduled to take place every Monday, and traffic officers will visit educational institutions, IT companies, and MIDC areas to raise awareness and encourage motorists to abstain from honking on this designated day.
In the fast-paced urban environment, traffic congestion often leads to driver frustration, resulting in frequent honking to navigate through jams. This continuous noise pollution not only affects drivers’ well-being but also disrupts the peace of the surrounding residents. Health issues, including ear and mental disorders, have been linked to this persistent problem. Although various regional transport offices, social organizations, and transport associations have made efforts to create public awareness, many drivers have continued to ignore the pleas.
To address this issue, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Traffic Police are urging motorists to participate in ‘No Horn Day’ every Monday. The campaign’s primary objective is to educate the public about the detrimental effects of unnecessary honking and the consequences of rising noise pollution. In the past 15 days, the police have taken action against 6,178 vehicles, imposing fines totaling Rs 61.71 lakh. Violations, including heavy vehicles on inner city roads during restricted hours, have been sternly addressed.
Furthermore, the traffic police plan to intensify their efforts against various traffic rule violations, such as triple-seat riding on two-wheelers, wrong-side driving, and loud silencers. Traffic departments across the city have been instructed to boost both awareness and enforcement activities.
DCP (Traffic) Bappu Bangar stated, “On average, a driver honks their horn at least five times every kilometer during their journey. This constant honking contributes to increasing noise pollution in the city and negatively impacts the mental health of drivers. This is a request to all drivers, and it is believed that by refraining from honking for a day, the habit of excessive honking will gradually decrease.”
