[darklord]

India's Supreme Court has said only those holding constitutional offices can have red beacons on their cars.

Under the new rule, only the president, the prime minister, cabinet ministers, senior judges and some other officials will be entitled to red beacons.

Emergency vehicles, ambulances and police cars could use flashing blue lights, the court ruled.

In a judgement delivered on Tuesday, the court also banned pressure horns, multiple sound emitting horns and musical horns in vehicles.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-25313681

[scopriobharath]

I was under the impresssion that these were already banned in india. Even before the judgement was passed, that was the rule. the thing is that it was NOT enforced. Policement for sure would not try to harrass an Army official's personal car. Common man flouting this rule would be miniscule.

Even the "wolf" horn in india is banned.

Not sure why the supreme court is re inventing the wheel

[wilful]

Well I suppose the state police forces will enforce this as diligently and uniformly as they have done in the case of sun control films. It will be interesting to see the exercise.

[sukhoi30]

Will cops enforce this? And why do SC has to enforce existing laws/rules after listening to PILs. Such a waste of court time. SC should directly give a blanket order saying that "any vehicle found not complying with the Motor Vehicles Act is illegal and police can impound the vehicle and cancel the registration" Let's see how the cops will then react!!

[paragsachania]

When you have so many private buses and Sand lorries plying with all the glamorous Horns and LED lights right through the city thoroughfares in front of the cops (and at times honking at the same cops as a way to say "Hello") on Hosur road, BIAL Road, I wonder if this order is going to make any difference.

Wishful thinking considering the fact that most of the vehicles using such horns are associated directly to some heavyweight mafias!

[PPS]

Supreme Court has asked Centre & States to name authorities who can use red beacon lights.
It further said that definite lists of officers under the category “high functionary” will have to be provided by the appropriate governments, stating who can have red beacons to enable their functioning and “any and every officer cannot be given a red beacon”. The Supreme Court has asked all authorities to enforce these directions within a month.

http://www.livelaw.in/supreme-court-...l-authorities/

[avisidhu]

Originally Posted by wilful

Well I suppose the state police forces will enforce this as diligently and uniformly as they have done in the case of sun control films. It will be interesting to see the exercise.

Don't know about other places, but here in North and specially in and around Chandigarh, the enforcement is close to 100%. It did take a couple of months, but even in Punjab where enforcement is pretty lax, one is unable to locate noticeable number of vehicles with sun films.

The beacon rule on the other hand, is flouted like anything (assuming there was a rule present in the first place). And with Chandigarh being a joint capital, the "batti wali gaadis" are quite ubiquitous. Hopefully this order if enforced with as much zeal as the sun film one, will change things for the better.

Although I have my doubts since firstly the policemen are scared to touch these vehicles, and even if they do there is no possibility of getting a bribe, so no incentive

[SDP]

If implemented, the horn-ruling would be a blessing for our ears.

The first part about red-beacons is equally interesting. There are just too many of those on the roads with their escort cars practically forcing everyone else to vacate the road for the bigshot. Some moderation would definitely help.

[Abeer]

Such rules cannot be implemented unless and until the Police learns how to follow law. The policemen are afraid to touch/stop vehicles having beacons due to departmental action or transfers. Same is the case with buses/trucks that are using pressure horns as they get bribe from them which is then shared among all others.

What i feel is that the only way out is to stop have police under state politics and put them under central rules, like the Army or CISF.

Maybe even ask them to report to Army or CISF officers posted in the region. This might not stop the corruption completely but will do to some extent.

[hellmet]

It's a start with the horns, but what about all those cars with extremely loud dual horns, motorcycles fitted with car horns, and other abusively loud horns?

The horn I really prefer the most is the low sounding air horn used by some RTC buses. It's loud enough to grab attention, but doesn't damage hearing.

[mac187]

As much as I am relieved to hear this judgment, I would like to see cops enforce this rule on these notorious TT's, private buses, Call center sumo's and local poser in Bangalore. This is one of those judgments which will never be enforced due to operational challenges. Since the cops don't have the right equipment to police/ enforce it. wait a minute...

....Going by the logic used during the sunfilm ban, shouldn't the SC have banned horns altogether.

[mints21]

Our constitution has laid down guidelines for almost everything that we can think of. However, when it comes to enforcement most of the agencies fail. We need tough regulators for enforcement of these laws followed by heavy monetary penalties to curb this menace.

Heavy penalties with light jail term can only persuade the law breakers to be more diligent on roads. Last but not the least, No leniency and all VIPS should be treated at par with general public when it comes to obeying traffic rules.

[srishiva]

Its the amount of fines levied that matters in every violation. They are too small. With the type of traffic and number of vehicles and drivers who dont follow other rules voluntarily, I dont blame the Police for everything.

[anjan_c2007]

There are many court orders (including Supreme Court) restraining many illegal activities and also for following many procedures as per the enacted laws.The Supreme Court, High Courts and other smaller trial courts interpret the law.
The law is drafted, made and enacted by the law makers (State Assemblies and the Parliament) while the courts interpret the enacted laws and pass orders and judgements.
When the court battle is between two private individuals in the court of law, the decree holder (winner) gets the court order/ judgement enforced. If the decree holder is not able to enforce, he goes for contempt of court, which is a serious matter.
Hence, what I mean is that in case private individuals are involved, the implementation is faster through court orders and judgements.
But not when the court order or judgement passed, calls for the government to implement and enforce the order for compliance.
When there is a contempt by a State Government or a Central Ministry, the top bureaucrat is summoned.
In this instant case of ban on unusual horns (even for the beacon lights entitlement for each State Government's listed dignitaries),the Union Transport Ministry and maybe the Industry Ministry (that provides licences to manufacturers of such illegal horns) and State/Union Territory Governments will be involved.
Follow up action to get the order or judgement is very essential by concerned Union, State /Union Territory or local self governments in such cases. We lack the machinery to do so and the whims of the government authorities and colourful use of delegated, discretionary power comes to the fore.
The beacon light judgement (or was it an interim order?) was passed by the Supreme Court in July 2013. But I have been to many States since July 2013. I found many non entitled officials and politicians grossly misusing the beacon lights on their cars. There is no-one to take cognisance and book the offenders.
No doubt, some States are serious and are complying or trying to do so.Maybe, it will take more time to be properly implemented.
What I mainly stress that a proper machinery for follow-up action and implementation of such court orders and judgements is quite essential.

[phamilyman]

By that logic, let me see chennai cops (otherwise a fine bunch) wear helmets first. Yet to see even ONE of them wearing a helmet. Some elements of compliance here are inexcusable.