In driving school we all learned that the horn should only be used when there is danger. In India, its use is very different, the horn is used as an accelerator and brake pedal.

Especially in the big Indian cities, where the traffic is very dense, the horn is used in a jumbled manner to signal one’s presence, to overtake, to warn of a danger, in short, all the situations one can imagine when one sitting in a car or a two-wheeler on the street.

Indian Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari wants to make a difference. In order to stop this noise pollution and improve the quality of life of his fellow citizens, the minister wants to replace the horn of all vehicles with the sound of a flute or another Indian musical instrument. Police car sirens and ambulances are also on his radar, and during an inauguration ceremony of the Nashik freeway, he said he would like to replace them with a more pleasant tune.

“I am studying this and plan to soon pass a law that will replace the horns on all vehicles with Indian musical instruments so that they can be heard comfortably. Flute, tabla, violin, harmonica, harmonium.”said Gadkari. He pursues: “An artist composed an Akashwani melody and it was played in the early morning. I’m thinking of using this melody for the ambulances to make people feel better. It also hurts the ears. “

As a reminder, in France the improper use of the horn “is punishable by a fine of up to € 150. In general, this is a fixed fine of € 35, ”we read on the Ministry of Interior’s website. “The horn (horn) is forbidden in the city except in imminent danger.”