Why do drivers sound the horn to vent their anger against other drivers

infoman ???

I don’t understand your post.
What does the horn is there for emergencies mean?
Do you only sound your horn constantly when you’re on an emergency run to the hospital?

When someone cuts in too close on you, starts to pull out in front of you, or a lorry is forcing you onto the hard shoulder, or otherwise endangering you, a prompt reminder often stops it turning into an emergency.

It’s annoyance at someone’s bad driving. A warning to ‘buck your ideas up’. You should hear the drivers in Spain! They lean on their horns and get a resounding blast back!

Try India. It seems that the horns are surgically attached to the drivers!

I liked a story I heard years ago about a woman who was taking a couple of attempts at a very tight parallel parking manoeuvre on her local high street. A very impatient driver waiting to pass blasted his horn. She calmly got out of her car and said to him “how about you park my car and I’ll hold my hand on your car horn for you”

In Kenya I am sure the horns start with the ignition.

infoman I’m with Mollygo on this one. I rarely notice beeping at other drivers when I’m driving, and I beep only in the types of situations Mollygo suggests..

I suspect you might be a rather poor driver or inconsiderate driver if you find yourself on the receiving end of beeping regularly. My father in law also hated being beeped at, but he was a dreadful driver ( not just when he was elderly, but when he was middle aged too) and we had to take his car away in the end as he was a menace to other drivers.

Grannynannywanny

I liked a story I heard years ago about a woman who was taking a couple of attempts at a very tight parallel parking manoeuvre on her local high street. A very impatient driver waiting to pass blasted his horn. She calmly got out of her car and said to him “how about you park my car and I’ll hold my hand on your car horn for you”

I actually did that!

I was turning right at lights. The road ahead was blocked and there was a yellow box. The lights turned green. I didn’t move, the car behind blasted his horn. The lights turned red then green again - road still blocked and horn man blasted continuously.

I got out if my car and tottered over to horn man. I asked him politely to stop blasting his horn or suggested he speak to the policeman also waiting in the queue two cars back????

Delicious - he went silent, and waited like everyone else in silence for the blockage to clear.

I can say nothing about overseas countries, but I haven't noticed this happening in the UK. All that happens in the UK when someone is irritated by another driver is the V sign, or they might wind a window down and shout.

Highway Code.

Only use your horn to warn others of your presence.

Never use your horn aggressively

Never use your horn when stationary

Never in a built up area between 11pm? and 6am? Unless someone is in clear danger.

My pet hate is idiots blasting the horn if you haven't moved off a nano second after the light has gone green.

Whitewavemark2

Highway Code.

Only use your horn to warn others of your presence.

Never use your horn aggressively

Never use your horn when stationary

Never in a built up area between 11pm? and 6am? Unless someone is in clear danger.

Glad you have quoted that WWM2 as that is what I understood from the Highway Code.
Agree with you Infoman. I have peeped if someone is not moving off at lights and not even looking at the lights however hopefully that might stop with the new rule about mobiles.

I live by a bust road and some idiots are constantly beeeeeeep beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep ing

I only ever use mine to get pigeons out of the road

Interesting reading the above in relation to other countries as when we went to Vietnam I was so struck by the politeness of the quick toots that were regularly heard of horns there.

Not quite sure what has occasioned this Infoman.
Has somebody hooted at you recently?
In anger? Or to alert you?
It is galling to know you have made a mistake and even more so when somebody hoots to let you know about it, but as for Only fools sound their horns because it is April Fools’ Day - I have no idea what you are talking about.

I expect people have been doing this since cars and horns were invented. It can be annoying.

A neighbour used to get picked up every saturday by her Dd at 9am,and without fail she pipped her horn,i don`t understand why she just couldn`t knock the door,it`s only 6 feet away from her.
Bone idol springs to mind.
Taxi drivers do the same.

Someone I know was teaching her young daughter to drive. Her daughter stalled the car at some lights and the car behind immediately started hooting. My friend got out of the car and said to the driver behind 'I'm very surprised at a man of your years having so little patience. It's not a good lesson to teach a learner driver.' She said he went very red and quiet and she got back in the car.

#TeamInfoman

It's irritating, and it's contrary to the Highway Code.

I suppose it's better than decking someone but on the other hand inordinate hornage could lead to fisticuffs.....

Where I live there is a lady that visits her mother daily, when leaving she toots the horn and waves at her mother standing at the door, it really irritates me.

Many years ago someone hooted at me towards the end of a very long motorway drive when I had both little dds in the back.

It very likely saved our lives. I had very briefly nodded off and was wandering into another lane.?

I frequently find some clown behind me toots his horn when the only way I can move is for my car to sprout wings and fly. I realise I have grey hair so obviously elderly so that puts me at a disadvantage it would appear.

I always remember my driving instructor telling me it was a poor driver who used the horn.

infoman

Can we all honestly say we never make a mistake whilst out and about driving?
Please refrain from sounding your horn,the horn is their for emergency's not to vent your anger at another driver.
It causes noise pollution and every one around the area looks round thinking was that aimed at me?
Only fools sound their horn because its April fools day.

I have occasionally used my horn in anger, but always feel awful afterwards. You're quite right, it's a distraction for other drivers and should only be used as a warning if someone's about to pull out in front of you or some such. Good thread.

Oh dear I should be driving in Spain.