FED up with the continual noise of hooting taxis, angry residents in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, have submitted a petition to the local council, begging them to put an end to the din. Alexandra’s People Against Noise Pollution spokespersohn, Hope McPherson, says residents are at their wits’ end, but most are too afraid to complain. He says the hooting starts at 3.30am and goes on until about 11pm. He says three to four taxis frequently hoot at the same time. McPherson says his children, who are away at school, refuse to visit him during the school holidays because of the noise. The traffic department has promised to erect ‘no hooting’ signs in the noisiest streets.