One Toot And You’re Oot
Banned from honking their horns, drivers in China's commercial hub of Shanghai are switching to music or voice recordings instead. Shanghai banned honking in the downtown area last month, threatening fines of up to $25 for those leaning on the horn. Not even police cars are exempt, with the use of sirens banned in all but emergencies. But some drivers are spending up to $100 for customised musical horns. One taxi driver has used a recording of a woman's voice saying, "Please mind the car, we are making a turn."
FOOTNOTE: Are we in Honk Kong?
12 comments:
whoa!! teh things people do to find loops holes!! though am wondering about this ban on horns!!
why??
Hi Sam,
One of the things I remember most from my childhood in India was the occasional musical horn. I thought that was pretty cool!
Cheers
David
I agree with you Sam...
I'm guessin that they were abusing the right to honk their horns in hong kong.
So now the problem is gonna get much worse! People are gonna use thier favorite songs or stupid corny recording that'll make more noise and be more annoyin
Eg, "Move B*tch! Get Out The Way!" - Ludacris
The Lincoln Tunnel out of NYC into New Jersey has signs warning of $350 fines for honking. And that's as honk-inducing a place that I can think of....
It's hilarious and pathetic at the same time. Welcome to American style driving, Shanghai.
The reason (I suspect) that Yanks don't have more honking laws is that you are not only likely to get the bird, but a gun shot through your car window.
Hi Ak-Man,
I think you've given them the idea, right there!
Their attempt at a solution is going to exacerbate the original problem!
Cheers
David
Hi Brian,
I don't think I've ever seen a sign threatening fines for honking. Are they common in the States?
Cheers
David
Hi Catmoves,
Always nice to have your perspective.
Bullet holes really have a detrimental effect on windscreens.
Cheers
David
Now this concerns me greatly - I think it could lead to much greater violins in the street!
Hey David,
I was speaking to a few friends of mine about this one, and they reckon it would be a good thing in India, where the tendency is to honk instead of indicating (signalling) a turn.
Is this true?
Hi Lin,
Nice pun, nice pun! Some years ago, when Tony Blair's son was driving the neighbours up the wall with his off-key violin practice, I wrote the headline about Ten Downing Street being the centre of domestic violins.
Cheers
David
Hi Steph,
There is a lot of honking on the streets of India - but by crikey, the traffic in Paris kept me amused for a whole evening.
Cheers
David
Post a Comment