Kochi: Professor says no-horn-car' made a difference

KOCHI: An emeritus professor in mathematics with Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) is on a mission. Prof Ambat Vijayakumar has now fixed a sticker on his car 'No Horn Car' to discourage honking of horns on roads. He says he decided to this effect after running his car without sounding horn for a week which turned out to be a successful experiment.

“I have been driving my car for the past thirty years through the roads of Ernakulam. Use of horns even when you are near the traffic signals has been a severe irritation for me. Two weeks ago I stopped using horns even when there is a traffic jam. Some did stare at me while some scolded me. But I didn’t bother,” said Prof Ambat Vijayakumar.

“Following this I decided to start a campaign against use of horns. As a first step I have put a sticker ‘no horn car’on the rear glass of my car a week ago. That had an effect. Other drivers were more careful as they approcahed my car. They hesitated to sound their horns. I also became more careful and did not ever think of resorting to rash or careless driving. It is nice new experience for me on the roads and now I intend to spread awareness on the same among the driving community,” said Prof Vijayakumar.

“The motor vehicles department and the police with the assistance of clubs like Rotary and others can encourage moto-rists to paste such stickers on their vehicles so that our roads and motorists are spared of this nuisance. Already there are campaigns like ‘Horn Not Ok Please’ and mine is a step further removing the horn altogether,” said Prof Vijayakumar.

“In fact the various FM radio stations too can be encouraged to spread awarenness in this regard since a lot of motorists use radios while using cars and other vehicles,” he said.