Beeping other road users. Is there any point?

[roystinho]

2 days in a row now I've had some 'tards trying to kill my P&J. Yesterday was merging in when a clapped out mondeo thought he could squeeze through a gap that wasn't there until I swerved into the oncoming traffic. Then today someone who either couldn't see or hear a bright blue car with xenons on and a thumping V6 roaring (at only 25 mph I may add) and just cut right across me at some lights.

Now on both occasions I furiously beeped my horn, but then after my 2 year old boy today said 'daddy why did you beep your horn', I couldn't say because some ahole on the road has nearly taken us out and just said I was beeping at someone I knew...

Then after it got me thinking, is there any point getting angry and taking it out on the horn? Will these plebs take any notice or am I just getting myself worked up by doing it? Do I just ignore?

Anyway, rant over. What do you do when the incompetent venture into your driving space?

[V8Wagon]

'tis funny. I find when I've driven abroad a gentle toot on the horn happens all the time and it isn't deemed offensive, more a 'I am here' function.

Here, the sound of a horn really boils peoples p***.

I use it occasionally but people do get really irate. The last time I used it some 12ish yr old schoolgirls ambling across the road texting and asking to get knocked over shouted a volley of abuse as I almost mowed them down.

[shim]

It makes me feel better

[V8Wagon]

shim said:

It makes me feel better

Well the internet has let me down.....

No-one nowhere in the history of forever has ever uploaded a picture of a steering wheel with a horn shaped like a womans breast in the centre.

I thought you could find it all on here.....it was crucial for my humorous response to your post! Damn!

[Xtype]

To let people know I'm there....ie a toot. But not a full on blast....and if someone gets offensive it is highly amusing to blow them a kiss haha

[wiliferus]

Because it makes me feel better. If I toot my horn in my mind the other driver was automatically in the wrong!

[Dixie68]

I like to think that if I beep my horn at someone who's made a dodgy move, that he/she will remember it and next time think twice. But I know they won't so it mostly just makes me feel better.

[MK Ultra]

This is how it usually goes;

Me: Beep
Them: .!.

[Jayfish]

It's for making sure they're looking at you when you give them the coffee beans.

[Issi]

Did it today, followed a chap through about 6 roundabouts who didn't bother to indicate once. I admit i got annoyed and beeped when he didn't bother on the last one. Immediately, his wife had turned around in her seat and was effing and jeffing at me.
Lasy pompous gits.

[Hoofy]

Well, I only know my horn works because my car passed the MOT. By the time you've hooted, I find the incident has already happened. And if it's happening right at that moment, I find I don't have time to hoot as my hands are busy doing other things.

Oh, I also know it works because I banged my forehead on it while bending forward to clean the cappuccino off the mats that I spilt on them while trying to turn a page of the Times.

[otolith]

Function of horn is not to express your disapproval.

[Kong]

I very rarely remember to beep my horn if someone nearly hits me, my instincts tell me to keep my hands on the wheel. But then afterwards I think 'dammit I should have beeped!' but by then it's too late.

[Jayfish]

otolith said:

Function of horn is not to express your disapproval.

expressing your disapoval is not mutually exclusive from warning other road user of you presence

[GrumpyTwig]

roystinho said:

/stuff

It's not like your car is easily missed, complete decat and open system require maybe


I have to drive through an area I refer to as 'Baghdad' daily where people will pull out in front of you from side roads with no warning or rush up the inside lane to try and push in front of the line of cars who got in the right lane.

Requires a lot of very defensive driving and careful road positioning.

[AndyT77]

I use mine every so often. Usually at pedestrians who are taking the piss/playing chicken whilst crossing the road.

[Riley Blue]

The horn is the least used electrical item on my cars. I use fog lights more, once so far this year.

[Motorrad]

I use the horn to warn people of my presence not as a rebuke. When I do use it I'll accompany it with a placatory rather than inflammatory hand gesture.

If I want 'revenge' on another driver I chase them down, rip off their head and st down their necks. Making a wee noise doesn't really do it for me in terms of 'payback'.

[6fire]

Last time I used mine on the bike (to warn someone emerging from a poorly sighted junction that I was indeed there), I got a volley of abuse and a long blast in response.

I just don't bother now. I've not found a scenario yet where using the horn couldn't be replaced by avoiding the other vehicle.

One I see from time to time which amuses me is where another vehicle will accelerate, or maneuver just so they can then be outraged and beep their horn at another driver.

[A205GTI]

Given up. Using the horn. I find shaking the head much more effective. As I find most will look in the rear my mirror as they know they have been tts. They expect either a finger or the horn. But are quite surprised when I shake the head. That's when they usually acknowledge they have been idiots.

Oh and fag flickers really piss me off. If you don't want the remnants of your filthy habit in your car then don't bloody do it!