Mumbai implements measures to reduce horn usage and improve safety

Authorities in Mumbai, India, have implemented campaigns to reduce excessive horn usage to combat noise pollution and improve road safety. The city, which has faced decades of constant traffic noise, is introducing stricter controls and sanctions for unnecessary horn use.

Research in traffic psychology suggests that constant noise increases driver stress, heart rate, and cognitive load, making it harder to focus on critical information like pedestrians or sudden braking. Furthermore, continuous noise can lead to auditory habituation, where drivers become desensitized to horns, reducing their effectiveness as warning signals during emergencies.