Sources from the Beijing Traffic Management Bureau said starting on Sunday, horns will be strictly banned within the Fifth Ring Road of Beijing. Anyone who violates the regulation will be fined as much as 100 yuan (US$13).

According to a Beijing Morning Post report, this is the second time the Chinese capital has expanded its horn prohibition area.

Zhang Jicai, a traffic police officer from southern Fengtai District, said Beijing issued a no-horn regulation within the Fourth Ring Road in 2001. At that time, the Fourth Ring Road had just come into operation.

Since then, most of the area between the Fourth and Fifth Ring Roads has urbanized, with a number of residential communities established within. Zhang said residents in the area need a quiet environment. To achieve this, the bureau revised the current regulation.

Zhang added the implementation of the new rule needs time because some drivers still don't know how to use horns properly.

Drivers can use their horns to warn pedestrians or other drivers of possible trouble or to avoid accidents. However, some drivers honk their horns to express anger or complain about other drivers' mistakes or to urge slower drivers to move faster. Some horns installed on heavy vehicles can make loud and irritating noises.

Zhang said the way a driver uses his or her horn reflects his or her personal civility. The traffic bureau will hold some promotional activities to publicize the new rule.

(CRI April 11, 2007)