THE USE OF MOTOR-HORNS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—I was interested to read in The Spectator of February 15th Janus's disapproval of the suggestion that car drivers should be forbidden to sound their horns by day (as well as at night) which he says is being considered by the Minister of Transport. May I suggest that it is not so foolhardy as at first it would appear to be ? I was in Rome when this rule was introduced there, and again I was in Florence when it was introduced a fortnight ago. In both these cities it has been a great success, and they have narrower streets and narrower pave- ments than any towns I know of in England.
The experimental week of silence was introduced with plenty
of warning. Placards were everywhere displayed giving instructions to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and on the initial day special constables assisted in controlling the traffic. The result has been unexpectedly good. Instead of more accidents there is more care taken by everyone. Whereas before cars dashed along the streets, driving " on the horn," and relying on the horn, they now proceed at a reasonable pace, particularly round corners, and one begins to wonder why horns were ever permitted in towns.
It is undoubtedly just as safe, if not safer, and I suggest that the best way to impose a speed limit on a motorist is to deprive him of his horn.—Yours faithfully,
R. H. ERRINGTON,
Commander. Tostock Old Hall, Bury St. Edmund's, Suffolk.
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