Bengaluru’s roads are known for traffic jams, chaos and a chorus of horns, but one motorist is trying to break that cycle. On Reddit, the motorist has said that they honk “10-15 times in a year max” even
while driving “5-6 days a week” across the city.
The user adds that honking is rarely a necessity and more of a conditioned habit. The post states, “Honking is a habit which the subconscious learns to do, and then becomes addictive,” explaining that drivers often reach for the horn instinctively when faced with the slightest obstacle.
To maintain a no-honking approach, the user just adapts to the pace of traffic even during challenging situations. “I too face motorists who I feel should not be allowed to drive on the road,” says the person, adding, “I never honk…In peak hours, you just have to follow the speed of the traffic.”
To encourage change, the person is now offering to personally guide habitual honkers. “I’m willing to teach one/few fellow motorists who are serial honkers, not to honk, just as a test,” writes the user, describing it as a first step towards a wider campaign for calmer roads. If the trial succeeds, “then I’ll start a movement in Bengaluru to stop motorists from honking unnecessarily,” says the person, adding that honking can affect mental health and trigger “road rage and/or mental stress.”
The user has asked anyone who feels they rely on their horn too often, or knows someone who does, to contact them. “Please reach out to me in DMs, we can meet in CBD (MG Road/Brigade Road) on a day and time of your choice and I’m willing to teach you not to honk.”
Describing this as a contribution to improving life for “all citizens of namma ooru,” the Reddit user hopes to spark change in Bengaluru’s driving culture.
I'm willing to teach fellow Bengalureans not to honk – I use my car horn 10-15 times a year, and im on the roads practically every day.
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Many Reddit users weighed in on the post, sharing different perspectives on Bengaluru’s honking culture. One agreed with the overall message but clarified that horns still have a purpose, writing, “Horn is there for a reason. Use it wisely.”
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Another stated they rely on the horn for safety rather than impatience, writing, “I mostly honk to let the vehicle ahead of me notice my presence so that they don’t veer into my direction without any warning.”
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Some responses praised the original poster’s approach, with one user commenting, “Thank you for having a sane and gentle approach towards people who believe honking brings safety and comfort. It is not only noise pollution it shows lack of awareness in general road safety.”
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However, others questioned whether the initiative would reach those who need it most. One sceptical response read, “Serial honkers don’t think it’s an issue at all, so they’re not gonna approach you to fix their mindset.”
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It remains to be seen if Bengaluru’s honking habits can change. But for this motorist, even a small shift towards silence would count as progress.
