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only fools beep their horn

(48 Posts)
infoman Mon 01-Apr-24 02:05:50

on April the first,
as well as on any other day of the year.
Rule 112 of the Highway Code is very clear on the purpose of vehicle horns, and states that they are only to be used in order to warn another road user of your presence. That means you should never honk as a greeting, or as an expression of annoyance.

Grammaretto Mon 01-Apr-24 11:52:07

I beep my horn if I come across lambs on the road. It's the fastest way to get them to return to their field the way they came out.
A farmer taught me that trick.

Callistemon21 Mon 01-Apr-24 15:10:07

They have the freedom to wander around freely near here. Ewes were leading their lambs across the road a couple of weeks ago, to greener grass, drivers slowing right down and stopping.

Wong Tue 02-Apr-24 11:51:10

Oh goodness!!! Too much time on their hands. Horn noise…… get a life.

Foxyferret Tue 02-Apr-24 12:04:52

Tickingbird, I lived in Naples for 3 years and I agree, they beep their horns for fun. They sit for hours having a meal but as soon as they get in their cars, they cannot wait a second. They beep at you if you stop at a red traffic light!

SueEH Tue 02-Apr-24 12:05:00

If anyone drives like an utter f*ckwit and puts me,my car and my passengers in danger then you can be sure they’re going to get a good long honk of my horn.

tickingbird Tue 02-Apr-24 12:09:30

foxyferret

I know. I have sat in cars in Naples and the driver was continually beeping and, as you say, even when the car in front stopped at a red light or indicated to turn right and stopped for a few seconds. I’m a confident driver but there’s no way I would drive over there grin

Bazza Tue 02-Apr-24 13:11:30

As I recall from a holiday on the Amalfi coast some years go, our hire car company told us that if you drive into Naples your insurance is invalid. We went on the train, and I’ve never seen such total chaos! Honking if drivers stopped at a red traffic light, cars overtaking whoever did on the pavements. Traffic police seemed to find this totally acceptable. I rarely sound my horn unless to warn someone reversing into me, or occasionally if I encounter really really bad manners! If I’m honest it depends what sort of mood I’m in.

jocork Tue 02-Apr-24 13:18:34

I rarely use my horn as on the few occasions it is appropriate I usually can't remember where it is! I have occasionally set it off with my boobs when getting out of the car!

Leanetta Tue 02-Apr-24 14:29:14

BEEP!!!

Foxyferret Tue 02-Apr-24 14:53:13

I got a battered old Fiat 500 and drove like everyone else. I didn’t beep the horn though. There is no Highway Code as such, the mantra seems to be “if my wheel is in front of your wheel then I have right of way”. Scary until you get used to it and join in.

DrWatson Tue 02-Apr-24 14:55:20

Nothing wrong with warning other drivers, or pedestrians, or cyclists, by tooting at them if you can see they're about to move somewhere and potentially have an accident, or cause one.

Maybe cars should be fitted with two horns, one a polite little 'beep' noise, and one more resembling the blast from a cruise liner?!

And switching subject a bit, though still on 'noise', WHY aren't electric cars fitted with something that makes a regular engine noise? I recall seeing a blind person on TV a couple of years ago saying how dangerous silent cars are, for both her and her guide dog. Now I'm an occasional bike rider, I detest having EVs creep up behind me!

ordinarygirl Tue 02-Apr-24 16:10:43

I'm ashamed to say that I have no idea of where my horn is - I just hope the police never ask me where it is .

infoman Tue 02-Apr-24 16:44:21

Wong

very glad you have taken part in a get a life posting.

Callistemon21 Tue 02-Apr-24 16:56:42

And switching subject a bit, though still on 'noise', WHY aren't electric cars fitted with something that makes a regular engine noise? I recall seeing a blind person on TV a couple of years ago saying how dangerous silent cars are, for both her and her guide dog. Now I'm an occasional bike rider, I detest having EVs creep up behind me!

Yes, I've been saying this for some time.

Oldbat1 Tue 02-Apr-24 18:16:52

I am a hearing aid wearer and I hate electric cars for this very reason.

Oldnproud Tue 02-Apr-24 18:17:14

ordinarygirl

I'm ashamed to say that I have no idea of where my horn is - I just hope the police never ask me where it is .

I am told that the bonnet can be lifted up, though I have no idea how, but maybe the horn is under there? 😁

flappergirl Tue 02-Apr-24 22:33:34

Grantanow

Georgesgran

Does honking at stupid, suicidal pheasants on my country lane count? Guilty as charged!

Well. I suppose stupid pheasants are road users. The Highway Code doesn't say road users are solely humans.

I've just realised you're all talking about pheasants and not peasants. I was waiting for the thread to be taken down.

Theexwife Tue 02-Apr-24 23:01:08

My neighbours family always do a double beep of the horn and wave after visiting, it is a few times a week and it really irritates me.

4allweknow Wed 03-Apr-24 10:02:22

Infoman I must be one of those impatient, angry drivers as only last week, out driving on a single lane road I had to stop to accommodate a driver who was overtaking a vehicle on a bend. What did I do, I blasted my horn at the driver. Who would be charged with breaking the Highway Code in that instance? At least I'd be alive if I was charged..

Magrithea Wed 03-Apr-24 14:10:54

tickingbird

Goodness me don’t go to Italy then. I think beeping the horn every 5 seconds is obligatory there, especially in Naples. The roads are a cacophony of beeping horns!

Or India where horns start at dawn and continue all day!

Janetashbolt Fri 12-Apr-24 11:44:19

pet hate is the ones who toot to let their mates know they are outside!!! (Ususally arounr 6:30 or 22:30) They all have mobile phones, can't they call them or god forbid get out of the car and ring the door bell.

GrannyGravy13 Fri 12-Apr-24 12:39:34

If people didn’t drive like idiots I wouldn’t have to use my horn…