October 15, 2014 -Residents of Lagos State observed A Day Without Horn today for the first time in the history of Lagos State and Nigeria as part of effort to minimize noise in the environment.
Motorists in the state were expected to drive either without making use of the horn or with moderate use of the horn for the whole day, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transport Education, Mirian Masha said on radio, adding that there would be no sanctions though about 1000 officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) were mobilized for the exercise.
She said their role is to distribute flyers to educate Nigerians on the benefit of living in a noiseless society and to minimize use of the horn.
However, compliance for the day, October 15, was moderate across the Lagos metropolis.
In places like Ojodu, Abule Egba, Agege, Oshodi, Airport Road, Yaba, Ikeja, Magodo and Ikorodu Road, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. In these places, there was moderate compliance with most of the drivers trying as much as possible to drive without blaring the horn.
A private car owner, Amofokhai Audu said he tried as much as possible not to blare the horn on his way from Abule Egba to the Lagos State Government Secretariat.
“I was very conscious and determined to observe the horn-free day. I drove through the Abule Egba intersection, through Abattoir to Agege and passed Agege without blaring the horn. I also drove through Acme Road without honing.
“On getting to Agidingbi Road, at a traffic point, I inadvertently press the horn lightly before I realised that I had broken the rule. I felt so bad and I know this has spoilt my day already. When the traffic light turned green, the vehicle in my front did not move on time, I never knew when I pressed the horn and I immediately regretted it,” he said.
On Ikorodu Road, down to Third Mainland Bridge and some aspect of Marina, there was full compliant even the traffic jam along Idi Oro Market.
Taiwo Olapade, a journalist, said he drove through the Ikorodu Road with much quietness as many motorists did not use the horn, but noted that he pressed his horn twice, adding that in Aguda, Surulere, there was no much compliance.
Mr. Emmanuel Odeyemi, who lives at Mafoluku area of Oshodi said he did not make use of the horn even when he drove through the densely populated Oshodi all through to Ikeja as he was conscious to observe the day.
He said many motorists in Oshodi, Airport Road and other places observed the horn-free day as horns were rarely used.
“Commercial bus drivers have high level of compliance more than private car owners. The noise level has reduced. I could see banners made by the NURTW to sensitise their people not to use the horn.
“This is good for Lagos State and if this can be done quarterly, things will be different. I have not used the horn today and I intend to continue it throughout the day,” he stated.
Our correspondent also spotted officials of LASTMA distributing flyers announcing ‘A Day Without Horn In Lagos’.
