In a decisive move against noise pollution and traffic violations, the traffic police wing of Trichy rural police conducted a successful enforcement drive, seizing a significant number of prohibited sound devices from public transport vehicles.
Surprise Inspection Nets Illegal Horns
The crackdown occurred on Wednesday when a police team, led by Traffic Sub-Inspector Karthik, carried out a surprise check at the No 1 tollgate roundabout. The operation targeted buses, primarily private ones, plying on routes connecting Trichy city and Samayapuram. During the inspection, authorities successfully confiscated 22 banned air horns from 14 buses.
Deceptive Tactics Uncovered by Police
Police officials revealed that drivers of these buses employed a clever trick to avoid penalties. The vehicles were equipped with two different air horn systems. When intercepted by law enforcement, drivers would only use the permitted horn to create an illusion of compliance. However, the police team, determined to uncover the truth, conducted a meticulous search. Personnel inspected areas underneath the engine compartments and around the driver's seats to locate the concealed mouthpieces of the illegal high-decibel horns.
"Most drivers claimed that their buses did not have banned air horns, but we inspected and found multiple horn mouths that amplify sound," stated SI Karthik. He emphasized that the rampant use of these deafening horns severely impacts the most vulnerable road users. Two-wheeler riders and pedestrians suffer the most due to the high-decibel horns, causing startle reactions and potential accidents.
Root Cause and Affected Routes
According to the police, the primary motivation for bus operators to install these illegal devices is cut-throat competition. Buses are using the banned air horns to forcefully clear traffic and attempt to reach their destinations ahead of their rivals. This dangerous practice was found to be prevalent on city buses originating from key points including Panjapur KKBT, Chathiram bus stand, and Palakkarai via Thiruvanaikoil, culminating at the No 1 tollgate and Samayapuram.
This enforcement action by the Trichy rural traffic police sends a strong message against the violation of noise norms and underscores the commitment to ensuring safer and less stressful road conditions for all citizens.
