Inspired by the Chartered Accountants resolve, I too decided not to blow horn. The resolution, however, was short lived. I slowed down my motorcycle at cross roads or when any one overtaking my vehicle.
Undeterred by persons overtaking from wrong side, I stuck to my resolution of ‘No Honking’. It took me a few more minutes to reach the office. But I was determined and did not make any sound. Normally a calm person, I used to shout at persons violating traffic rules. I refrained from using abusive language for any one.
I had read about resolutions like not using car on a particular day, ‘No Honking’ on a day in a month was added to it recently. ‘No to horn’ written on the back of vehicles is a common sight.
The thought of why people easily break the rules. Rather why even basic rules are not followed? is the question. I could talk to a senior person who was bringing home his grandchild from school. He jumped signals at Deekshabhoomi square, as no constable was posted. There was no traffic on the road. He stopped at his residence behind Chtrakala Mahavidyalaya. When I said that the child will learn from you in breaking the rules, he immediately apologised for his mistake.
The incident was rare and the senior person was a noble person. Now those violating the rules frown at you when stopped. Using abusive language is not uncommon.
My thinking process was interrupted by a young girl entering the main road from a small lane. She did not even look at those moving on the main road. As a reflex action, I sounded the horn. While recovering from the loss of balance, I could see several vehicles moving ahead from my wrong side, that too, by blowing the horn consistently.
‘No Honking’ on a particular day may be a welcome decision. Educating people and making them responsible citizens is more important. The Motor Vehicles Act prevents the blowing of horns that would rattle other commuters. Imposing a fine for such an act has also been provided in the law. But we are very efficient in neglecting the rules, finding loopholes in the law and finding excuses for violating them
