Traffic cops in Chennai now blow sports whistle

Chennai: Traffic police personnel manning junctions in Chennai have moved over to using whistle, which give a piercing shrill similar to that used by sports referees.  So far, they have been using traditional pipe-styled whistle, known as London Bobbies whistle.

The reason for change in style of whistle is said to be the reach of sports whistle in crowded area. “It can reach more people and can cover more area than the pipe whistle,” noted a traffic police officer. The whistle makes sure that people and motorists hear the sound.

“We are doing it on experimental basis as some other metros like Delhi and Bengaluru are already started using the sports whistle – which has a shrilling sound compared to bobby whistle,” he said.

Sports whistle, mainly used by referees and physical trainers at school, can reach hundreds of metres. “In a crowded foot ball stadium referee’s whistle will never go unnoticed. So we are trying the sports whistle in certain pockets like Anna Nagar arch, Central railway station and Kamaraj Salai on experimental basis,” a traffic police officer noted.

Of course, the policeman may have to use more force while using the sports whistle but it also makes him inhale and exhale better. The small cork ball inside the whistle generates shrilling sound. “Even motorists who are violating traffic signals stop their vehicles when they hear the long whistle,” said an officer from the traffic planning cell. However, the patrolling cops will continue to use the pipe whistle.