Self-proclaimed VIP's hooter horns honk ears

The terrible sound of hooter horns comes out of the vehicles of self-proclaimed VIPs has been the cause of irritation for the citizens of the capital. Let’s look at some practical example of it. One day 70 to 80- vehicles were seen locked in traffic signal on the southern road of Maghbazar intersection of the city. The members of traffic police were busy in passing the vehicles on the other lane in a disciplined way. Then, a Zip was honking hooter horn to attract the attention of the police in the southern raod. Sometimes, it was seen making sound like ambulance, sometimes it resembled to the tattering sound of the vehicles of law enforcing agencies. The people staying in other vehicles on the streets got very much irritated due to the honking sound, but the Zip driver felt no need to pay heed to the matter. The traffic police thought it a VIP-carrier and release the traffic signal right then.

This was a scenario of the city on Saturday. The people on the streets are seriously irritated due to the terrible sound of these hooter horns or VIP horns. The vehicles with this kind of horn are mostly seen in the elite areas at the time of starting and closing the schools.

Many officials and employees of various government offices in Agargaon area have been seen using such horns in their cars. However, the Road Transport Act says that no one can use the hooter horn except for the law enforcing agencies, fire services, emergency rescue operations, and ambulances. Even Members of Parliament have to get permission to use this VIP horn by showing good cause. However, self-proclaimed VIPs are not paying attention to these laws. Members of parliament, government bureaucrats to third-class employees, political leaders, their relatives, businessmen, and sometimes even rental car drivers are using the hooter horn. Often, the car enters the opposite way by flashing red-blue focus lights and honking the hooter horn. VIP thinks that in most cases the traffic police are embarrassed to know the identity. The indiscriminate use of these horns can be seen from the major roads of the capital.

When talking to some members of the traffic police on the road in this regard, they said hearing the sound of these horns, they think a VIP is inside the vehicle. In most cases, the traffic police don’t dare to stop these vehicles. In many occasions, when the car is stopped in the presence of a sergeant, the driver introduces himself as a senior government official. Then the traffic police did not do anything. If you want to do something, pressure comes from above.

However, they admit that many criminals can get away with VIP. Meanwhile, on January 13, 2015, the parliamentary committee related to the Ministry of Home Affairs recommended the law enforcement agencies to take appropriate action to stop the use of "VIP horns" in Dhaka. More than eight years have passed since then. However, self-proclaimed VIPs are roaming the streets with loud hooter horns. When asked about this, Gulshan Traffic Division additional deputy police Commissioner Hafizur Rahman told The Bangladesh Pratidin, “We are conducting regular operations to stop the illegal use of hooter horns and fined the misusers of it. I will start a big campaign ahead on it.”

Bangshal auto parts trader Imran said these horns come both legal and illegal ways inside the country, which are available at Tk 350-450. A horn has three switches. There are three types of words. Its sound is so loud that playing it in front of someone with a weak heart can cause a heart attack. Now traders bring it inside the country at lesser quantity after the government banned it. But if someone puts a demand, it’s supplied.

(The report was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on November 19 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque)