“Lagos No Horn Day”: Mixed reactions greets lagosians

In order to contain noise pollution in Lagos, the state government introduced a “Lagos No Horn Day,” observed last Wednesday. The Commissioner for Transport, Kayode Opeifa as a guest on Sunrise Daily, referred to honking as an environmental and health issue, explaining that the noise level in the transportation sector is about 90 decimal, which is unhealthy for people, according to World Health Organisation, WHO.

He also stressed that the Lagos ‘No Horn Day’ campaign was aimed at solving a public health issue through a social intervention idea.

Medinat Kanabe carried out an investigation around some areas in Lagos which revealed that more people observed the ‘No Horn Day’ than those who didn’t. By 6.50am in Isolo it was as though all the horns in the vehicles were disconnected. From Jakande Estate gate, it was observed that cars also didn’t use their horns even though horns from motorcycles filled the air.

As this correspondent queued at the Estate Gate by 7.00 am to take a bus going to Oshodi, she noticed the yellow bus drivers discussing the issue of ‘No Horn Day’ and disconnecting their horns to avoid using it in error. They were all anxious to begin the day without their horns.

One driver bent over his vehicle to make sure his horn was disconnected as he laughed saying “I forgot to disconnect it before, thank you for reminding me.”

Even with the heavy traffic that usually greets the road in the early mornings from the Jakande Estate gate to the Pako roundabout that causes vehicles to spend over 50 minutes on a normal three minutes journey, vehicles maintained their lanes and didn’t use their horns as usual.  

Only the engines of vehicles were heard with the sounds from rickety vehicles as drivers patiently waited on their lanes or use their mouths as horns to clear the road for them to pass while others blared their horns with caution when it was necessary.  

It was also observed that many drivers didn’t go out with their cars to keep them from using the horns. Mechanics also made some money from disconnecting horns for those who couldn’t do it themselves.

A mechanic popularly called Baba Jamiu said: “Yesterday I helped many of my customers to disconnect their horns especially women. I was not surprised because I know about the “No Horn Day. It is a good idea, I like it.”

From Oshodi through Ikeja to GRA, it was just the menace of motorcycles breaking traffic rules and horning as if a “horn free day” has been declared but in almost all the streets of GRA no horn was heard.

From GRA Ikeja to Maryland across Onipan and Jibowu, drivers maintained their lanes or waited patiently for vehicles to go without shouting or cursing. The horns were heard again from Yaba to Ebutte-Metta where it was again as though a “horn free day” has been declared. Car, motorcycles, buses, both public and private and even bicycles horned. The case of Ebutte-Metta was worse and obvious that many didn’t know or just choose to ignore the “No Horn Day.”

As drivers horned at Ebutte Metta, people tried to remind them it was “Horn Free Day” but they wouldn’t listen. They discussed it, laughed about the thought of it as too funny to follow.

When this reporter began her journey back to Ikeja it was already 12.00 pm. It was as if the end of “No Horn Day” had come. People had forgotten and began to horn excessively especially police vehicles and BRT buses. Another vehicle that made so much noise with its horn around Lagos was the train.

Lagosians speaks   

Mr Victor Erieye, a Banker said: “I horned to save a life. Someone was crossing the road without looking and if I hadn’t horned it would have been another story. Some people have problems and because of it, they don’t know when they are crossing the roads. I don’t support the no horn day. I horned more than 3 times before getting to the office.”

Mr Taiwo Akande, A Driver in an Insurance company said: “I came to the office in the morning to disconnect the horn from my vehicle because I cannot do without horning. I was a nice experience for me. There is no way I wouldn’t have horned.

Ms Roseline, a Business woman said: “When another driver will be in your front and driving like a learner, why won’t I horn. I horned when a driver didn’t move for me to reverse. Another thing is that Lagosians are deaf so I must horn.

Mr Patrick Williams, a Communicator said: “I was prepared for the no horn day so I was determined not to horn. I stayed on one lane, patiently waited for the right time to move and allowed the yellow buses that want to manoeuvre to go and I didn’t horn until I got to the office. I was excited I did it.

Mr Olalekan Ololade, a Journalist said: “I see it as a symbolic action for people to stop pollution in our environment. Noise pollution is everywhere in Lagos. Very early in the morning you hear some people shouting on top of their voice saying they are praying. The most culprits of these are the government that blows sirens everyday and the public bus drivers including the truck drivers. They use the horn to intimidate small car owners. It is not just to do it today and stop it but to make it a continuous thing. You don’t have to horn unnecessarily except it is needed.

Mr Banmeke Kola, a Businessman said: “I hate horns so I don’t use it. I have a neighbour that uses horns to disturb. I think he is a teacher. Everyday by 5.30 he horns to wake everyone up. I hope he learns from the no horn day.

Christian Adenota said: “The first horn I heard today was from a police vehicle. Motorcycle riders horn for fun. They can’t and don’t remove their hands from their horn. They are the worst horn users.

Olugbenga Pelumi said: “Some are complying, the enlightenment part is what I can't vouch for, but if LASG can keep this up, perhaps even dedicate one day in every month to observe a "no horn" day, the trend will gradually catch up, until it becomes a part of the diving culture here.
The key word is PATIENCE. Many people tap the horn button for no good reasons: saying hello to a friend while driving by, trying to get the attention of roadside hawkers, letting the driver ahead of you know that he's too slow for your liking. The list is as endless as it is unnecessary. Almost everyone on Lagos roads go through moments of madness between the hours of 6am till 11am, then from 5pm till about 10pm. We are all in a hurry to get to work, and then get home afterwards. These irritating horn sounds peak within these periods and it can be very annoying.