Unnecessarily speaking loudly bearing music at high volume pressing the accelerator in vehicles to purposely create noise and above all the habitual use of obtrusive horns, are considered to be a public nuisance in all civilised countries.
However, in Pakistan especially in Karachi, different kinds of horns are being used in vehicles as a 'Necessity of Life' at each nick and corner of the main road, street and service lane, regardless of commercial, residential, educational or hospital side areas.
It is not only that the uneducated/illiterate drivers, but also the educated and civilised class of people driving personally that are habitually accustomed to pressing horn till such time that the obstruction is cleared for their un-hindered driving, regardless of the red signal.
At times, most people, not necessarily, but as a habit, keep on pressing the horn of their vehicle throughout their path even if there is no hindrance within meters around them. The drivers of some vehicles, queued-up on the road at a red signal, start pressing the horn impatiently ignorant of the vehicles ahead to fly over them at the green light.
Horns used vary and are of different kinds. In Karachi, motorcycle riders use horns meant for cars or trucks, while car drivers use the loud horns of trucks. Most of public vehicles use high volume horns, designed for use for locomotive engines on the railway track.
Large buses, wagons and water tankers are fearlessly using high-volume pressure horns to scare away human beings on the road in the heart of city, while these horns are especially made for use of locomotive engines to disperse animals from the railway tracks by fast moving trains, through the jungles. All these horns used in Karachi, create an ear-piercing sound, which intimidate people driving patiently, create irritability and generate a wave of terror.
The majority of drivers, whether illiterate or educated, do not show patience. They drive either way or on the wrong side, over-take from any side, pressing the horn continuously to force their way at high-speed, ignoring the disciplined drivers, pedestrians and even ambulances.
Most of the pedestrians walk on the service roads or cross the main roads from the prohibited side, in ignorance of traffic regulations. One motor mechanic says, "it is possible to drive a vehicle without proper breaks but it is not, at all, possible to drive without a horn in Karachi".
The habitual selfishness, ignorance of traffic regulations and the violent attitude of drivers have turned the un-warranted use of horns 'a public nuisance,' into an uncivilised necessity'; but why can't the 'Traffic Police' control such traffic violations in Karachi.
The Chief Secretary of Sindh, DIG (traffic) Karachi and all concerned authorities should take immediate notice of the uncalled use of horns in Karachi and take positive remedial measures.