Honking prohibited in Shenzhen

Honking of car horns is prohibited in the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone in Guangdong province. The rule, which took effect on Jan 22, will last one year — until Jan 21, 2024.

According to an announcement jointly issued by the traffic management bureau of the Shenzhen public security department and the city's ecological environment bureau, no drivers are allowed to honk on city roads or streets 24 hours a day unless they are approaching sections with poor visibility, including sharp turns, the tops of ramps or when overtaking another vehicle. Honking in an emergency is also allowed.

Police cars, fire trucks, rescue vehicles and other vehicles that have been approved by the military vehicle management department to install alarms, and vehicles that hang military license plates, can honk according to relevant regulations and rules when they are performing emergency tasks involving traffic obstructions.

The honking ban aims to mitigate traffic noise in the city.

Shenzhen is not alone in banning honking. Jinan, Shandong province, and Chengdu, Sichuan province, banned honking in some of their downtown areas in August, local media reported. Jinan imposed fines from 20 to 200 yuan for violators.

Chengdu has also strengthened the management of honking of vehicles, according to a notice. Police cars, fire trucks, rescue vehicles and special vehicles are not allowed to honk or use sirens when they perform non-urgent tasks.

The honking ban in Chengdu will last five years.