Today being World Health Day, we wanted people to acknowl edge that unnecessary honking is a menace and gives rise to a lot of medical problems.

Was it just a one-day programme?

The Monday programme was just to create awareness among the motorists. Our programme is against those who honk unnec essary and trouble citizens. We will continue it like the drive against drink-driving.

Did you see results today?

It was fantastic. On my way from Byculla to Worli, I did not hear a single horn.

How many people did you book?

Our men were patrolling streets with high traffic density and also the Silence Zones. We nabbed 6,295 in a day and col lected approximately Rs 3 lakh in fines.

LONG BEEP OF THE LAW

The Motor Vehicles Act 1988 has provisions to book vehicle owners for fixing shrill horns (above 80 decibels), horns that go off while reversing, and multi-toned horns (Bollywood tunes, for instance).

Under Section 190 (2) of the Act and Section 119 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, violators can be fined Rs 500 and have their driving licences temporarily suspended if they do not pay the fine.

An area of 100 metres around schools, colleges, hospitals and courts is notified as a ‘Silence Zone'. It is an offence to honk in these areas.

URL: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/artMailDisp.aspx?article=08_04_2008_002_005&typ=0&pub=264