Horn-free hour, Dhaka
An hour at one junction with placards, asking drivers not to honk.
- 0/8 people
- About 2 hours
- 10
- points
About this task
Dhaka’s noise stays far above safe levels, even around hospitals and schools. One hour on the pavement of a busy junction, holding placards and asking drivers, with a smile, not to honk for nothing. The traffic police are told beforehand. No arguments, no stepping into the road.
Why it matters
At many junctions in Dhaka and Chattogram, sound levels sit well above what the World Health Organization advises. Years of loud noise cost hearing, raise blood pressure and break children’s attention. Under the 2006 noise pollution rules, the area around hospitals and schools is a silent zone where horns are banned.
What changes after
Drivers and passengers at the junction talk about horns; the video lets you compare horns before and during; a team is ready to do it again next month.
Who can join
Anyone who can stand for an hour. A good first task for college and university students.
Step by step
0 of 3 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 2.5 hours across all steps
- 1
Make the placards
Large letters on white boards: “Patience, not the horn”.
60 minবোর্ড, মার্কার
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Tell the traffic police
When, where and how many.
30 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
Stand for the hour
On the pavement, not the road. Smiling, never arguing.
60 minপ্ল্যাকার্ড, পানি
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- Placards · ৮টি
When it counts as done
- At least six people stood for the hour
Proof required
- Photo
- Video
Safety
Stay on the pavement, never in the road. Do not argue with a driver. Drink water; stand in the shade when you can.
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳880–1,700
- People
- 8
- Time in all
- 2 hours
- Age
- Any age
Best timeAll year, except in heavy rain. Office hours (8–10 am) or the evening rush reach the most drivers. In summer avoid the midday sun.
PermissionStanding peacefully on the pavement needs no permission. But tell the nearest traffic police box beforehand.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| White board or thick card8Where: Stationery shop | 8 | ৳60–120 |
| Thick black and red markers4Where: Stationery shop | 4 | ৳40–80 |
| Sticks and tape for the placards8Where: Hardware shop or local market | 8 | ৳10–20 |
| Drinking water8 bottlesWhere: Corner shop | 8 bottles | ৳20–30 |
| Total (about) | ৳880–1,700 | |
Getting ready, step by step
7 days before
- Choose the junction: a wide pavement, ideally near a school or hospital.
- Count the horns in 10 minutes at that hour and write it down.
3 days before
- Visit the traffic box: when, where, how many.
- Make the placards: big letters, few words.
The day before
- Remind the team: stay on the pavement, no arguing.
- Post a small sketch of who stands where.
On the day
- Count horns for 10 minutes before, and 10 minutes during.
- Take photos and short videos.
The week after
- Report the two counts side by side.
- Fix next month's date.
Who does what
Lead1
Talks to the police, keeps time, calls back anyone stepping into the road.
Placard holders5
Stand an arm's length in from the kerb and show the placard with a smile.
Counting and video1
Counts horns, takes photos and video.
Talker1
Explains politely to anyone who asks; talks with drivers at the rickshaw stand.
Whom to speak to first
The nearest traffic police box
- Why
- To avoid misunderstanding; they may help too.
- How
- Go in person 3 days ahead with a short written notice.
Shopkeepers at the junction
- Why
- You stand at their door; useful for shade and water too.
- How
- Tell them the day before; never block their entrance.
Administration of a nearby school or hospital
- Why
- If it is a silent zone, their support strengthens the message.
- How
- Inform them by letter; a representative may join if they wish.
The day, hour by hour
- 07:30Gather, hand out placards, repeat the rules.
- 07:4510-minute horn count (before).
- 08:00Start standing, split across both pavements.
- 08:3010-minute horn count (during); drink water.
- 09:00End; team photo; thank the traffic box.
- 09:15Match up and record the counts.
How to take the proof
- One wide photo with the junction and everyone in it.
- A 30–60 second video showing placards and traffic.
- A photo of the before and during horn counts on paper.
- No close-up faces of drivers or walkers without consent.
Common first-time mistakes
- Too many words on a placard; nobody reads it from a moving car.
- Stepping into the road to show the placard at a car window.
- Not counting before, so there is nothing to compare.
- Going without telling the police.
What can go wrong, and what to do
A driver is angry
Smile and step back, no argument. The lead comes over.
A crowd or jam is building
Everyone moves back on the pavement; end early if needed.
Someone feels ill in the heat
Sit them in the shade with water; if serious, call 999.
Someone brings a political slogan or banner
Politely ask to put it away; the message is horns only.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
Volunteer call
Hello everyone. Horn-free hour at [junction], [date], 8 to 9 am. We stand on the pavement with placards: “Patience, not the horn”. Meet at 7:30 am at [place]. Placards and water provided. Bring a cap or umbrella. Rules: never in the road, no arguing, no party slogans. Sign up on the Desher Kaj task page.
Notice to the traffic police box
Date: [date] To, The officer in charge, [traffic box/area] Subject: Notice of a peaceful anti-horn awareness hour on the pavement. Sir/Madam, [number] volunteers will stand on the pavement at [junction] on [date] from 8 to 9 am with placards, asking drivers not to honk needlessly. We will not step into the road or obstruct traffic, and will follow any instruction given. Yours sincerely, [name], team lead [mobile number]
After it is done
- Repeat monthly at the same junction and hour so counts compare.
- Hold a short separate chat with drivers at the rickshaw and CNG stands.
- If near a school, encourage it to put up its own silent-zone board.
Questions people ask
Do we need police permission?
Standing peacefully on the pavement needs none, but tell the nearest traffic box: they help, and nothing is misunderstood.
What if a driver gets angry?
Smile and step back. Our work is asking, not arguing.
Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.