The Centre is thinking of imposing hefty fines to check the menace of excessive honking on Indian roads. Needless honking will attract a fine of Rs 500 for the first offence
and Rs 1,000 for the subsequent one. A higher fine of Rs 5,000 is contemplated for owners who install air and multi- toned horns. Excessive use of horns has become a habit on Goan roads as well. However, this new rule, when included in the motor vehicle act is not likely to bring much relief because of huge gaps in implementation. Cops in the state have a major problem coping with rash and negligent driving and reluctance to go in for GPS systems makes it all the more difficult. If checking speed is proving to be difficult, how is the traffic police expected to detect excessive honking? Will car owners have to install a special device which places a restriction on the number of honks, just like speed governors? Excessive
honking is a menace, but fines alone cannot curb it.
Without strict implementation the law will remain on paper,
like so many other laws.
