MEXICO: Down Decibels

Mexico City's noise had got on people's nerves. Last week Federal District Governor Javier Rojo Gómez announced that a five-year-old statute sharply curbing noises after 11 p.m. would be strictly enforced. After that hour cars must not sound Klaxons, streetcars must not use air whistles, jukeboxes must be played only behind closed doors, people must not shout either in joy or in anger, and anyone wishing to give a gallo (serenade) might do so only with police permission.

Just why Mexican drivers use their Klaxons continually has caused much speculation. One obvious...

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