Use of air horns to be stopped from March 20

The police, the Motor Vehicle Department, and the State Pollution Control Board would jointly conduct inspections to prevent the use air horns in vehicles plying in the city. The inspections will commence from March 20.

The police have already begun the inspections.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) S. Saravanan said that around 20 vehicles were being checked a day. Those using musical horns in their vehicle were also being slapped with fine.

First time offenders are slapped with a fine of Rs. 100. A fine of Rs. 500 will be imposed if the same vehicle is found to be using air horn for a second time. Major offenders are private buses, mini vans, lorries and share autos.

Action will be taken against two-wheelers who use high decibel horns, said Mr. Saravanan.

The police said that most of the air horns seized were capable of producing noise above 70 decibel.

The police have roped in the pollution control board to check the decibel levels, and the motor vehicle department to take action according to the Motor Vehicles Department Act.

The police will partner with an NGO to conduct awareness programmes on the ill effects of high decibel noise, said Mr. Saravanan.

The fine would be up to Rs. 5,000 if air horns were found in vehicles, he added.