Discussion
Reg Local said:
This has suddenly become a very old school internet argument.
Exaggeration? Check.
Introducing scenarios which were never included in the original discussion to further an argument? Check.
Completely dismissing other people's points because they fail to conform with a fixed and dogmatic opinion? Check.
2002 called - it wants it's internets back.
I'm off - I've got an evening of scaring horse riders, alpacas and giraffes with my musical airhorns planned. Damn those country bumpkins with their bloody peace and quiet.
Oh keep your hair on.Exaggeration? Check.
Introducing scenarios which were never included in the original discussion to further an argument? Check.
Completely dismissing other people's points because they fail to conform with a fixed and dogmatic opinion? Check.
2002 called - it wants it's internets back.
I'm off - I've got an evening of scaring horse riders, alpacas and giraffes with my musical airhorns planned. Damn those country bumpkins with their bloody peace and quiet.
Popeyewhite was merely suggesting that your advice wasn't necessarily the best. You chose to make it into an argument.
For what it's worth, I agree with him.
Just a thought on horn use in this context; could it lull the user into an assumption that any oncoming driver has heard it? If I ever contemplate its use my first action is to knock off the radio/fan, open the window and listen. Even if I decide to use it I always assume the vehicle coming the other way has music blaring! Switching on headlights may provoke an earlier reaction? But ultimately I make sure I can stop well within the distance I can see to be clear.
Sorry if I'm stating the obvious
Sorry if I'm stating the obvious
I know the horn is the old-school approach on this and the old Police drivers love a bit of the traditional wind-down and toot at a humpback bridge. You can feel them whipping out their clipboard and ticking off with great pride a little secret signal among the cognoscenti.
Does it make a difference? As 7Mike says -- you can't go any faster or less cautiously as a result and you can throw it over every single wall and hope that on the one where there is someone going too fast you improve their driving in good time. I prefer a definite target for my signals and am a reluctant tooter, not least given its potential to be misheard or misinterpreted.
A headlamp flash -- even in the daytime -- can be spotted by oncomers where you have shadows from high hedges, and doesn't have any of the baggage that a toot carries. A wound down window so you can hear them coming and be even mor e cautious. I'd also shape the speed profile considerably more than the OP does.
Three great insights form this video --
- the scariest place for a car to appear is not at your braking point for a limit point, but just before it when you haven't started braking.
- cor - dashcams are worth it.
- you can drive quite fast and still not crash if at least one person is driving well (well done OP).
Does it make a difference? As 7Mike says -- you can't go any faster or less cautiously as a result and you can throw it over every single wall and hope that on the one where there is someone going too fast you improve their driving in good time. I prefer a definite target for my signals and am a reluctant tooter, not least given its potential to be misheard or misinterpreted.
A headlamp flash -- even in the daytime -- can be spotted by oncomers where you have shadows from high hedges, and doesn't have any of the baggage that a toot carries. A wound down window so you can hear them coming and be even mor e cautious. I'd also shape the speed profile considerably more than the OP does.
Three great insights form this video --
- the scariest place for a car to appear is not at your braking point for a limit point, but just before it when you haven't started braking.
- cor - dashcams are worth it.
- you can drive quite fast and still not crash if at least one person is driving well (well done OP).
popeyewhite said:
I'm not arguing about comparative noise levels, but if we're being melodramatic have you heard a horse rider screaming when her horse rears and falls on her legs because it was startled by a car?
Your argument is pathetic and your making yourself look a fool with everything you type.Take information, use information, give information. A well judged horn note to another potential road user us worth its weight in gold.
I didn't mean for this to start an argument.
Surely the use of the horn is down to personal judgement of many conditions and whether it's use would have any affect - one of the conditions would be local knowledge.
There is a single lane near to me that is a sharp gradient and has no visibility and no passing places for about 100-150 yards. It is local knowledge that users of this lane will sound their horn when entering the lane and because of this 'most' other users will also be listening for the sound of a horn. In this situation it makes perfect sense. However, as for the situation I found myself in, it is not the done thing on that particular stretch of road mainly due to the available passing places and when driven at a sensible speed there is no issue. I do not think it would have made any difference to the outcome as I doubt the other driver was even aware that a horn could be used in this way let alone listening out for one.
Surely the use of the horn is down to personal judgement of many conditions and whether it's use would have any affect - one of the conditions would be local knowledge.
There is a single lane near to me that is a sharp gradient and has no visibility and no passing places for about 100-150 yards. It is local knowledge that users of this lane will sound their horn when entering the lane and because of this 'most' other users will also be listening for the sound of a horn. In this situation it makes perfect sense. However, as for the situation I found myself in, it is not the done thing on that particular stretch of road mainly due to the available passing places and when driven at a sensible speed there is no issue. I do not think it would have made any difference to the outcome as I doubt the other driver was even aware that a horn could be used in this way let alone listening out for one.
popeyewhite said:
Reg Local said:
popeyewhite said:
Reg Local said:
It's sometimes worth giving a horn warning on the approach to badly-sighted corners too.
Please, please please don't do this. Think of others. People go to the countryside for peace and quiet, not to listen to the beeping of car horns. Lots of sheep on and around the roads here as well - you want to frighten them into the path of another vehicle? Really, just drive according to the conditions.This is another example of how horn use has completely lost it's legitimate meaning in this country. The horn is a signal & it's entirely appropriate to use it as a warning to other road users, whether that's in the city, in the countryside or driving across the Kalahari desert.
Rule 92 doesn't state..............."If you can't see anyone round the bend do not use your horn." It's always possible that other road users are in fact using the road.
popeyewhite said:
Please, please please don't do this. Think of others. People go to the countryside for peace and quiet, not to listen to the beeping of car horns. Lots of sheep on and around the roads here as well - you want to frighten them into the path of another vehicle? Really, just drive according to the conditions.
is this the countryside version of "oh please won't somebody think of the children?"rampageturke said:
popeyewhite said:
Please, please please don't do this. Think of others. People go to the countryside for peace and quiet, not to listen to the beeping of car horns. Lots of sheep on and around the roads here as well - you want to frighten them into the path of another vehicle? Really, just drive according to the conditions.
is this the countryside version of "oh please won't somebody think of the children?"
thewoodgnome said:
I didn't mean for this to start an argument.
Surely the use of the horn is down to personal judgement of many conditions and whether it's use would have any affect - one of the conditions would be local knowledge.
There is a single lane near to me that is a sharp gradient and has no visibility and no passing places for about 100-150 yards. It is local knowledge that users of this lane will sound their horn when entering the lane and because of this 'most' other users will also be listening for the sound of a horn. In this situation it makes perfect sense. However, as for the situation I found myself in, it is not the done thing on that particular stretch of road mainly due to the available passing places and when driven at a sensible speed there is no issue. I do not think it would have made any difference to the outcome as I doubt the other driver was even aware that a horn could be used in this way let alone listening out for one.
I totally agree a horn note there would not be worth it nor would it have affected the outcome. The driver of the other car reacted late which is evidenced by the time he takes to react and also the fact he has skidded to a stop. He should have anticipated another road user... yourself... and been ready and able to react. He was probably deep in conversation about the x factor with his mate at the time you appeared in his field of view.Surely the use of the horn is down to personal judgement of many conditions and whether it's use would have any affect - one of the conditions would be local knowledge.
There is a single lane near to me that is a sharp gradient and has no visibility and no passing places for about 100-150 yards. It is local knowledge that users of this lane will sound their horn when entering the lane and because of this 'most' other users will also be listening for the sound of a horn. In this situation it makes perfect sense. However, as for the situation I found myself in, it is not the done thing on that particular stretch of road mainly due to the available passing places and when driven at a sensible speed there is no issue. I do not think it would have made any difference to the outcome as I doubt the other driver was even aware that a horn could be used in this way let alone listening out for one.
I'd have to try my horn to see if it still works (must have done at the last MOT though).
The Golf was going inappropriately fast around a blind bend. The OP wasn't, but as he says , without the camera any accident would probably go 50:50. Not fair but moot as it didn't happen.
Forget about it. Most drivers are crap at it and that isn't going to change.
The Golf was going inappropriately fast around a blind bend. The OP wasn't, but as he says , without the camera any accident would probably go 50:50. Not fair but moot as it didn't happen.
Forget about it. Most drivers are crap at it and that isn't going to change.
thewoodgnome said:
So this happened this morning...
https://youtu.be/J0XVSYzrxqA
and the two young guys in the car just laughed it off.
Is there anything else I could have done to avoid this? Apart from either not using this road (which isn't an option) or buying an old barge or 4x4 that would have enjoyed meeting their front bumper.
(BEWARE - SWEARING IN THE VIDEO)
IMHO the Golf driver was going way too fast and your emergency braking was pretty damn good, as was his. Horn use before bends like that? Okay in my book; I'm with Mr. Local on that topic. Mr Golf will not go so fast on that road in future. Got me thinking about dash cam use too. Good post - thanks OPhttps://youtu.be/J0XVSYzrxqA
and the two young guys in the car just laughed it off.
Is there anything else I could have done to avoid this? Apart from either not using this road (which isn't an option) or buying an old barge or 4x4 that would have enjoyed meeting their front bumper.
(BEWARE - SWEARING IN THE VIDEO)
Edited by thewoodgnome on Thursday 22 September 10:31
Rick101 said:
Just back from the North Coast 500.
Plentiful use of the horn on unsighted single track roads. Certainly one occasion when there was an oncoming vehicle.
Thanks for the tip Reg
I'm sure the locals appreciated your yobbish driving skills.Plentiful use of the horn on unsighted single track roads. Certainly one occasion when there was an oncoming vehicle.
Thanks for the tip Reg
From the North Coast 500 website - which makes no mention whatsoever of horn usage - their advice for driving on narrow or single track country roads:
"Always drive at a speed which will allow you to stop in the distance you can see to be clear (HALF the distance you can see clear on a single track road)."
It also mentions "When you are on this wonderful touring route, you will be sharing it with the people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the roads in and around the NC500, as well as your fellow travellers from all over the world, so make sure you know how to drive and ride responsibly, safely and respectfully."
I'm surprised anyone can think blasting your horn with "plentiful use" is something to boast about.
popeyewhite said:
It also mentions "When you are on this wonderful touring route, you will be sharing it with the people whose lives and livelihoods depend on the roads in and around the NC500, as well as your fellow travellers from all over the world, so make sure you know how to drive and ride responsibly, safely and respectfully."
I'm surprised anyone can think blasting your horn with "plentiful use" is something to boast about.
Responsibly - taking responsibility for your own actions and presence on the road - giving information audibly by use of a horn note would be very responsible along certain parts of that route I am sure.I'm surprised anyone can think blasting your horn with "plentiful use" is something to boast about.
Safely - Driving within half the distance you can see to be clear on your own side of the road / half distance stopping rules apply.
Respectfully - being mindful and respectful of others including road users. Giving information audibly would be gratefully received by pedestrians (with dogs) and cyclists no doubt, not to mention those in vehicles. By giving this information at the appropriate times, with the appropriate vision, it can be beneficial to all.
I can't understand your position on this, it makes no sense and goes against all advice given from the HC to proper advanced theory. How can you possibly think being a silent road user is safer than being a road user who enhances their presence on the road as much as possible, within the boundaries of what is legally and morally acceptable? I can only presume you have bought a house somewhere in the country near a particularly hazardous bend and have therefore developed an unhealthy attitude towards this fantastic and under used skill.
I used to live in a lovely cottage on Pirbright Bends, was there for 6 years and in that time we endured horrendous speed, non stop horn notes that WERE inappropriate and hugely dangerous overtaking - all on a piece of road dead straight past our doorstep for 0.7 miles. Guess what - we moved!
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