Police drive to mute horn menace on city roads

Following a High Court (HC) ban, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have cracked down on the use of high-volume hydraulic horns on city roads by filing a record number of cases against offenders.

Sources said the DMP’s traffic department filed more than 1,100 such cases just between October 1 and October 29.

At present, the noise level in Dhaka city is estimated to range between 60 db and 100 db. If the current situation continues, then 50 per cent of the city’s residents would soon suffer from partial deafness, experts opined.

On August 23, the HC banned the use of hydraulic horns in Dhaka metropolitan city area to curb noise pollution. The court also ordered the authorities concerned to seize vehicles found to be using hydraulic horns after August 27. It also asked the police to confiscate every hydraulic horn in the market within seven days of its verdict.

In keeping with the spirit of the ban, traffic police have been launching daily operations to catch cars using hydraulic horns. As many as 135 such cases were registered by the traffic police on October 27. Earlier, on August 16, police had destroyed 10,000 hydraulic horns in front of the DMP office at Minto Road.

At a media briefing on the same day, DMP chief Asaduzzaman Miah claimed that the police have managed to curb the use of these devices in the city, but are yet to wipe out the menace completely.

According to DMP data, however, the use of hydraulic horns in the city is up to 50 per cent even after the HC verdict.

Besides, fines are also imposed on those violating traffic laws, including the use of hooker and beacon lights and black glass in microbuses and private cars, according to a DMP report.

Traffic department sources said it would be more effective if the existing laws are amended to include hefty fines for offenders rather than prison terms. “It is not possible to reduce the traffic system overnight. But if the city dwellers can be made aware about the terms and conditions, it's help us to control the situation,” a traffic police officer said.

Abu Naser Khan, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said: “The use of high decibel horns in defiance of the HC order raises a question on the role of ‘Poribesh Odhidoptor’. The rules against noise pollution are issued by the environment ministry and so it has to be more responsible in this regard. Besides, the trade ministry must strictly monitor the import and export of such horns.”

According to a BUET study on noise pollution, the sound level in Dhaka was 45 db in 1985, which was normal. But in 1990, it rose to 55 db, 75 db in 2000, and finally, to 110 db in 2013.

At present, the average sound level in Dhaka is estimated to be 105 db. The study said this is “alarming and a permanent health hazard” for city dwellers. It also reported that the high-pitched sound of hydraulic horns of buses, trucks, private cars and even motorcycles, cassette players, and roadside mills and factories severely affect passengers and pedestrians.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sound levels of 60 dB can make a man temporarily deaf and 100 dB sounds can cause complete

deafness. The noise in any busy street in Dhaka has been estimated to be 60 to 80 dB, with the sound of hydraulic horns measuring 95 db.

Shanto Kairy, a Dhaka University student, said drivers have not curbed their habit of honking horns even near schools and colleges. “This is so disgusting for us,” he added.

Kamrul korim, a street vendor at Siddeswari, said he suffered from splitting headaches because of the high decibel sounds of horns.

Another hawker, Mohammad Alauddin, said: “I am losing my hearing capacity due to this high sound environment. Sometimes, I feel like destroying these cars for making such a racket.”

As per the Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1983, any vehicle that generates more than 85 decibel sound after starting the engine will not get the clearance certificate, while it is totally forbidden to install the hydraulic horn in public transports.

 

Police drive to mute horn menace on city roads

Following a High Court (HC) ban, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have cracked down on the use of high-volume hydraulic horns on city roads by filing a record number of cases against offenders. Sources said the DMPs traffic department filed more than 1,100 such cases just between October 1 and October 29. At present, the noise level in Dhaka city is estimated to range between 60 db and 100 db. If the current situation continues, then 50 per cent of the citys residents would soon suffer from partial deafness, experts opined. On August 23, the HC banned the use of hydraulic horns in Dhaka metropolitan city area to curb noise pollution. The court also ordered the authorities concerned to seize vehicles found to be using hydraulic horns after August 27. It also asked the police to confiscate every hydraulic horn in the market within seven days of its verdict. In keeping with the spirit of the ban, traffic police have been launching daily operations to catch cars using hydraulic horns. As many as 135 such cases were registered by the traffic police on October 27. Earlier, on August 16, police had destroyed 10,000 hydraulic horns in front of the DMP office at Minto Road. At a media briefing on the same day, DMP chief Asaduzzaman Miah claimed that the police have managed to curb the use of these devices in the city, but are yet to wipe out the menace completely. According to DMP data, however, the use of hydraulic horns in the city is up to 50 per cent even after the HC verdict. Besides, fines are also imposed on those violating traffic laws, including the use of hooker and beacon lights and black glass in microbuses and private cars, according to a DMP report. Traffic department sources said it would be more effective if the existing laws are amended to include hefty fines for offenders rather than prison terms. It is not possible to reduce the traffic system overnight. But if the city dwellers can be made aware about the terms and conditions, its help us to control the situation, a traffic police officer said. Abu Naser Khan, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), said: The use of high decibel horns in defiance of the HC order raises a question on the role of Poribesh Odhidoptor. The rules against noise pollution are issued by the environment ministry and so it has to be more responsible in this regard. Besides, the trade ministry must strictly monitor the import and export of such horns. According to a BUET study on noise pollution, the sound level in Dhaka was 45 db in 1985, which was normal. But in 1990, it rose to 55 db, 75 db in 2000, and finally, to 110 db in 2013. At present, the average sound level in Dhaka is estimated to be 105 db. The study said this is alarming and a permanent health hazard for city dwellers. It also reported that the high-pitched sound of hydraulic horns of buses, trucks, private cars and even motorcycles, cassette players, and roadside mills and factories severely affect passengers and pedestrians. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), sound levels of 60 dB can make a man temporarily deaf and 100 dB sounds can cause complete deafness. The noise in any busy street in Dhaka has been estimated to be 60 to 80 dB, with the sound of hydraulic horns measuring 95 db. Shanto Kairy, a Dhaka University student, said drivers have not curbed their habit of honking horns even near schools and colleges. This is so disgusting for us, he added. Kamrul korim, a street vendor at Siddeswari, said he suffered from splitting headaches because of the high decibel sounds of horns. Another hawker, Mohammad Alauddin, said: I am losing my hearing capacity due to this high sound environment. Sometimes, I feel like destroying these cars for making such a racket. As per the Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1983, any vehicle that generates more than 85 decibel sound after starting the engine will not get the clearance certificate, while it is totally forbidden to install the hydraulic horn in public transports.