The truck horn, originally designed as a safety warning device, has unfortunately become a tool of noise pollution in Vietnam, especially when overloaded. This overuse, particularly by trucks and container vehicles, negatively impacts public health and well-being. The excessive truck horn noise level is a pressing issue on Vietnamese roads.
According to the Vietnam Register Department, car horn volume should range from 90 to 115 decibels. However, many trucks install unauthorized air horns or modified horns exceeding this limit, reaching up to 250 decibels – more than double the standard. This violates traffic laws, endangers safety, and severely affects the hearing and mental health of the population.
In provinces with high truck traffic, such as Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City, the truck horn noise level has become a nightmare for commuters. The piercing air horn blasts create discomfort and psychological stress, forcing motorcyclists and cyclists to swerve, increasing the risk of accidents.
Hanoi is also facing this issue. On roads like Khuat Duy Tien, Pham Hung, and extended Le Van Luong, trucks frequently use loud air horns or homemade horns. Many blatantly install two large air horns on their roofs, some as long as 1.2 meters and 20-30 cm in diameter. Despite knowing the illegality and danger of using air horns in the city, drivers persist in using them to “clear the way,” prioritizing their movement regardless of the truck horn noise level they create.
Tragically, numerous traffic accidents have been indirectly caused by air horns.
A heartbreaking incident in Kim Tan Ward, Lao Cai City, exemplifies this. A truck with license plate 19C-046.78 honked at an intersection. The loud horn startled Mrs. N.T.T., who was cycling, causing her to fall and be fatally run over by the truck. Previously, a similar accident at the Tan Van intersection in Binh Duong claimed the life of a woman who panicked due to the truck horn noise level from a dump truck. The growing list of horn-related tragedies underscores the urgent need to address this problem.
Damaged bicycle at an accident site involving a truck
Difficulties in Controlling and Handling Truck Horn Noise
Despite regulations on truck horn noise level, enforcement faces challenges. To penalize excessive horn use, authorities must accurately measure horn volume and provide evidence. However, limited access to noise measurement devices for traffic police hinders inspection and enforcement efforts.
Besides roadside inspections, controlling truck horn noise level at vehicle registration centers is difficult. Many truck owners remove unauthorized horns before inspection and reinstall them afterward, making it hard to manage “modified” horns.
Traffic police officer holding a sound level meter during a vehicle inspection
Surveys show that high-powered air horns are readily available at auto parts stores in Hanoi. Common air horns cost 400,000 – 500,000 VND, while imported models can cost millions. Many truck drivers willingly pay for “powerful” horns to maximize truck horn noise level. Priority horns, fire engine horns, and ambulance horns are also openly sold or circumvent regulations to satisfy those seeking attention or “showing off.” Some vehicles even install 3-4 air horns to increase noise, seriously affecting the truck horn noise level on the streets.
Selection of air horns on display at an auto parts store
Solutions to the Truck Horn Noise Problem?
Current enforcement against excessive air horn use is insufficient. To effectively curb air horn abuse, a coordinated and decisive effort from traffic police, traffic inspectors, and relevant agencies is needed.
To thoroughly address the truck horn noise level problem, strict penalties must be imposed on drivers who deliberately install or “modify” unauthorized lights and horns, endangering traffic safety. The Vietnam Register Department has instructed vehicle registration centers nationwide to refuse inspection for vehicles with non-compliant air horns.
Truck with multiple large air horns installed on the roof
Furthermore, fines for improper horn use, particularly in urban and residential areas, should be increased. Deterrent penalties will enhance compliance and minimize accidents caused by truck horn noise level.
Crucially, public awareness campaigns are needed to educate people about the dangers of excessive horn use, especially high truck horn noise level. Drivers must change bad habits, reduce speed, and yield instead of indiscriminately using horns. Use horns appropriately and only when necessary, so they serve their intended function of warning and protecting road users.
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