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New York scraps oft-ignored 'Don't Honk' signs

City surrenders to traffic noise in de-cluttering project, but honking fines will stay

The Associated Press

Posted: Jan 29, 2013 10:50 AM ET

Last Updated: Jan 29, 2013 10:38 AM ET

Traffic crawls south through Times Square at 45th Street in New York, in this 2007 photo. The city's Department of Transport is finally removing its 'Don't Honk' signs as part of an anti-clutter campaign. (Jason DeCrow/Associated Press)

New York City's "Don't Honk" signs are coming down, but it's still against the law to blow a car horn unnecessarily.

The city Department of Transportation says all the signs will be removed by the end of the year.

According to The New York Times, city officials say the decision is part of an effort to de-clutter the streets of signs that generally go ignored.

Unnecessary honking carries a $350 fine but is rarely enforced.

The DOT says complaints about honking have declined 63 per cent since 2008.

But City Councilwoman Gale Brewer said in a letter to the DOT: "I can't tell you how many requests I get for 'no honking' signs."

The signs were introduced during Mayor Ed Koch's administration.

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