"Traffic constable Vikas Rahane, who was on the afternoon-to-evening shift, says that number is the "normal" amount, but it's only going to go up. "It's the peak-hour evening traffic that gets you," he said, referring to the times from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sometimes, he can't sleep. It has even caused hearing loss in some of his colleagues. Under Indian laws, cops like Rahane can penalize drivers up to $25 for honking too much or without reason."
"A 2019 study found that the average noise in Mumbai is often more than 80 decibels rivaling some of the busiest streets of Manhattan. That's like listening to a vacuum cleaner day and night but louder. The World Health Organization recommends that it should not exceed 55 decibels. Traffic is among the biggest culprits, as it is in most international cities. But in India, there's another dimension to this problem."
Mumbai's streets are saturated with persistent honking that contributes significantly to urban noise. An informal one-minute intersection survey recorded 27 honks. Evening peak hours further escalate honking frequency, disrupting sleep and contributing to hearing loss among some traffic officers. Indian law permits fines up to $25 for unnecessary honking, but enforcement is frequently deprioritized because authorities focus on keeping traffic moving and protecting pedestrians. A 2019 study found average noise levels often above 80 decibels, far exceeding the WHO recommendation of 55 decibels. Cultural driving norms encourage honking to prompt movement, yet collective honking often fails to clear traffic and increases overall noise.
Read at www.npr.org
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