Some Shanghai drivers think they've found a way around the
city's recent ban on horn blowing.
Instead of an insistent honk, their vehicles are now emitting
human-voice warnings and even music.
Those who convert to the new sounds will find they've wasted the
hundreds of yuan it takes to retool their tooting, however. Traffic
police say a horn is a horn no matter how sweet it sounds.
The switch to personal voice-overs and theme music began early
this month when traffic police began enforcing a ban on horn
blowing in attempt to reduce noise levels in the boisterous
downtown. Car and truck drivers who violate the prohibition can be
fined up to 200 yuan (US$26) and moped riders up to 50 yuan.
At least one cabby interviewed by Shanghai Daily is
doing the right thing to cure his addiction to noise making. He
posted a large-type note on his horn that says, "Don't press the
button."
But others just can't seem to give up the need to call attention
to their presence on the roadway.
Car-club Websites are receiving an increasing number of bulletin
board postings urging drivers to try to beat the noise rap by
switching to something that doesn't sound like a traditional
horn.
An inventive cabby who drives for the Qiangsheng taxi fleet
showed off his new honk to a Shanghai Daily reporter
yesterday. When he depresses the horn button a woman's voice says,
"Please mind the car; we are making a turn."
"A couple of days ago, I sounded my new horn near a traffic
police officer," the cabby said. "He seemed amazed at first, then
he gave me a warning gesture and helpless smile and let me
pass."
Zhu Zhen, who works for a car repair store on Weihai Road, said
the aural modifications cost between 100 yuan and 800 yuan. In the
past, most customers just wanted a more personal sound - perhaps to
match the ringtone on their cell phone.
It's too early to tell whether the horn ban is a potential
windfall for Zhu.
But he'd better cash in quick.
"The new rule prohibits any kind of horn blaring no matter what
it sounds like," said Sun Guofu, who works for the city traffic
police.
(Shanghai Daily June 27, 2007)