I have just spent several days in Shanghai, and not once did I hear the sound of a car horn. Why? My hosts told me that, in Shanghai, new technology has been introduced to identify drivers who use their car horns improperly. Perpetrators are traced and fined. This new approach resulted in an overnight cessation of car horn misuse. I was recently in Bangkok where, again, I never heard a single car horn.

Car horns are a major cause of noise pollution. In Hong Kong, there is a cacophony of raucous car horns from early morning til late at night. Drivers seem to think that by leaning on their car horns they can, magically, clear the traffic jam in front of them. It is not just bad manners or ill temper – it is plain stupid.

Yet, no action is taken against them. No one seems to tackle what is clearly a major problem. It is high time the government followed Shanghai’s example. Let them introduce exactly the same technology and I have no doubt that Hongkongers, as a whole, will benefit. And those drivers reading this, have some manners, will you?