The Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) has warned owners and drivers of all motor vehicles, including motorcycles, against using hydraulic horns, hooters and other unauthorised devices that produce excessively loud or disturbing sounds.
The authority said legal action would be taken against those who violate the restrictions. The warning was issued in a message on Monday, 3 August, reiterating the contents of a notice issued on 21 July and urging vehicle users to refrain from fitting or operating prohibited horns and sound-producing devices.
According to the BRTA notice, Rule 81 of the Road Transport Rules, 2022 prohibits the installation, refitting or use of horns or sound devices on motor vehicles that produce multiple tones or intense, harsh, sudden, excessively loud or frightening sounds. The restriction applies to ordinary motor vehicles, including private cars, motorcycles and other non-emergency vehicles.
The prohibition covers hydraulic horns, hooters, multi-tone horns and other unauthorised high-volume devices. In practical terms, vehicle owners cannot legally equip their private or commercial vehicles with such equipment simply to attract attention, force other road users to give way or clear congested roads.
There is, however, a specific exception for vehicles involved in emergency services and certain state emergency operations. Ambulances, fire-fighting vehicles, rescue vehicles and other eligible emergency-service vehicles may use appropriate warning signals when required. Such audible signals serve a legitimate safety purpose by alerting road users and helping emergency vehicles move through traffic quickly.
The BRTA’s latest warning comes amid continuing concerns over excessive horn use and noise pollution on Bangladesh’s busy roads. In densely populated urban areas, repeated use of unnecessarily loud horns can add significantly to the already high level of traffic noise. Pedestrians, passengers, roadside residents and other road users may be exposed to sudden and distressing sounds throughout the day.
Excessively loud horns can also contribute to unsafe behaviour on the road. Some motorists use powerful horns to pressure vehicles ahead to move aside, particularly in traffic congestion. Such behaviour may encourage abrupt lane changes, sudden braking or attempts to overtake in unsafe conditions, potentially increasing risks for motorists, pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
The issue is particularly relevant to motorcycles, where the installation of unusually loud horns has attracted public criticism in recent years. Although a horn is an essential safety device when used appropriately, excessive volume or inappropriate use can turn it into a source of nuisance and disturbance rather than a tool for preventing collisions.
Road safety specialists have long stressed the importance of responsible horn use. On congested roads, unnecessary and repeated honking rarely improves traffic flow and can instead contribute to stress, irritation and confusion. The use of approved horns, combined with restrained and necessary use of audible warnings, is therefore considered an important part of more disciplined road behaviour.
The BRTA has urged vehicle owners and drivers to remove any prohibited horn or sound-producing device already fitted to their vehicles and to ensure that only legally permitted equipment is used. The authority has also made clear that failure to comply with the applicable rules could result in action under existing laws.
The warning places responsibility on both vehicle owners and drivers to ensure that their vehicles comply with the regulations. Avoiding unauthorised horns is not only a matter of legal compliance but also part of the wider effort to reduce noise pollution, improve road discipline and create a safer environment for pedestrians, passengers and all other road users.
