beeping your horn-turn a near miss into an accident?

[steve.zissou]

It seems the first thing someone does if they are about to have an accident is jump on the horn (watch youtube - they even beep animals before the smash them)

Well I had an L plater turn in front of me while riding my motorcycle. I probably missed her rear bumper by 10cm. Although i had little time to think I did consciously decide not to sound the horn because it would most likely have caused her to stop or slow down - no one speeds up when they hear a horn . If she even slowed down 2% it would have resulted in my going over the car.

and paying attention to the road 1000% and not the stereo (or watching the speedo) probably saved my life - well and ABS

as for the Learner co-driver - she was using her iphone - they didnt even realise I was there until i turned around chased them and politely informed them of what just happened - i am sure they will pay more attention from now on.

[burnz]

I've seen people accelerate when reversing at the sound of a horn, with the inevitable
crunch.

[39ClevoUte]

No good being "DEAD" right.

[OffRoadFalcon]

I've had near misses, and ALWAYS hit the brakes/whatever I need to do to avoid before I'd use the horn. Often it happens so quickly I never have time.

Did though the other night when a new MX-5 overtook me (doing the 90 limit) in front of an oncoming vehicle, after he'd managed to get in front of me on the right side of the road!

[geehaa]

It's a funny observation - you're right, there is no time to sound the horn. In fact, on reflection, I only ever do it when it's not that close. Who knew?

[Kable72]

I sound the horn so that people who have obviously done a dick move they know about it and so does everyone else in the near vicinity. Followed by a bird and a shameful comment on my part and drive off.

[Raysie]

I've been a part of a few near misses, however my instinct has always been to evade - Not beep the horn.

The only time I've ever really used the horn is to say bye to family when leaving, and telling the guy in front of me at a traffic light that we've had a green light for 5 seconds now.

[Bill M]

Glad you were on the ball, a classic example why friends and family are not the best choice of teachers with driving. Good point re the horn.
Stay safe.
cheers
Bill.

[Pub247]

I made someone crash by beeping my horn at someone else. It was one of those left lane ends merge right scenarios. (dandy frankston road just after the bypass for those laying at home)

Some guy cut in front of me so i gave him a good blast and the person in the merge lane ***** themselves and crashed into the traffic island. It was pretty funny but i also felt bad at the same time.
Though probably if they'd paid more attention to the road and conditions theyd would have merged over earlier instead of leaving it to the last 10 meters

[Kable72]

Originally Posted by Pub247

I made someone crash by beeping my horn at someone else. It was one of those left lane ends merge right scenarios. (dandy frankston road just after the bypass for those laying at home)

Some guy cut in front of me so i gave him a good blast and the person in the merge lane ***** themselves and crashed into the traffic island. It was pretty funny but i also felt bad at the same time.
Though probably if they'd paid more attention to the road and conditions theyd would have merged over earlier instead of leaving it to the last 10 meters

I laughed, have a like.

[Blue Oval Mopar Man]

Originally Posted by steve.zissou

It seems the first thing someone does if they are about to have an accident is jump on the horn (watch youtube - they even beep animals before the smash them)

Well I had an L plater turn in front of me while riding my motorcycle. I probably missed her rear bumper by 10cm. Although i had little time to think I did consciously decide not to sound the horn because it would most likely have caused her to stop or slow down - no one speeds up when they hear a horn . If she even slowed down 2% it would have resulted in my going over the car.

and paying attention to the road 1000% and not the stereo (or watching the speedo) probably saved my life - well and ABS

as for the Learner co-driver - she was using her iphone - they didnt even realise I was there until i turned around chased them and politely informed them of what just happened - i am sure they will pay more attention from now on.

Pretty sure they wont be more careful from now on , they will just continue on their merry way , blissfully unaware of the chaos happening where they have been .

[XR8_ash]

Sitting in my car years ago in QLD, I was in a carpark waitng for a chick in her 4WD to reverse out of her space. As she reversed out she didn't see me so a quick honk on the horn ended up me ON THE HORN 100 %. She didn't see nor hear me ?!?!?!? FFS .... Woman in 4WDs in the city ..... She definitely left knowing my opinion ...

[Kable72]

Originally Posted by XR8_ash

Sitting in my car years ago in QLD, I was in a carpark waitng for a chick in her 4WD to reverse out of her space. As she reversed out she didn't see me so a quick honk on the horn ended up me ON THE HORN 100 %. She didn't see nor hear me ?!?!?!? FFS .... Woman in 4WDs in the city ..... She definitely left knowing my opinion ...

Some people just need to be punched in the face with a deck chair. It's unreal how bad some people can be at seeing what is happening around them.

[peteypete]

Have any of you been in a situation where it's happened so quick you think 5 seconds after they're driven off 'Damn, I wish I blasted my horn at them :('
It's almost like a relief button, as much as swearing is to a stubbed toe. I always feel like I come out the winner when I toot someone, but if they toot me it's world war 3.

[STINKY NINJA]

Multitasking is the way to go when driving,i always blast my horn when stupid unaware people are about to drive into me or change lanes on me and its saved me from an easy 50 accidents,its not hard to be beeping the horn and getting on the brakes at the same time in case they dont hear you,because they obviously cant see you!
If i beep the horn to make someone aware that they are about to smash into my car and that then causes them to crash,good job they should be more awake and aware while driving,its their fault not mine,your horn is there for emergency situations to let other people know you are there,use it accordingly!

[JC]

I use my horn on average 3 times on the way to and from work (27km each way). Some people are just oblivious and shouldn't be on the road. Don't think I've ever caused an accident doing so but have prevented a few.

[danzvtil]

i was sitting at some lights in the right turn lane behind an older lady driver, she didnt enter the intersection when the red arrow extinguished so i gave her a friendly toot.She panics and floors it and almost slams into the oncomming traffic at 80ks stopping at the last moment.She then starts screaming at me in the rear vision mirror. Prob needs to take her meds.....

[4stanger]

I have been through my 3 kids with L plate training,
The L plate is there to alert other motorists that they are learning, so please cut them some slack and be patient, as well as cautious when driving with or near them and also do not teach them bad habits when driving in their vicinity, like tailgating.
There is NO excuse if the learners co driver was busy on their Iphone.
I hope that was the one you chose to talk to after this incident.

[H.G]

well I had a slowlux turn into me today as I was cruising in dual lanes today.. he was oblivious I was beside him and came right across the front of my ute.. missing me by less than a foot.. we were doing 80kph.. I swerved and came off the road a little.. but I dont feel the need to abuse people for making mistakes as when I make mistakes I generally dont need to be told afterwards.. maybe they are the worlds best driver and they were having an off day.. maybe it was you... your brother or your child.. who knows.. who cares.. accidents happen.. all this blowing up and abusing people wont make any bit of difference.
keep in mind every action has an opposite and equal reaction..


Im with you Arnaldo.. I always leave extra room for L platers.. even elderly..Im even more diligent with setting an example with the way I drive, even if it goes unnoticed..
if all these kids see are tosspots treating them like germs on the road.. thats how they will end up approaching the roads when they get out on thier own.
sure I get impatient and annoyed sometimes with people holding me up etc..
but guess what.. those are generally the days Im more likely to make a mistake of my own.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by steve.zissou

It seems the first thing someone does if they are about to have an accident is jump on the horn (watch youtube - they even beep animals before the smash them)

Funny that, I still remember 40 years ago driving in my licence test, in those days you had to do everything correct otherwise you fail. None of this 80% or whatever business.

But everything was going well until when the police station was in sight (yes, we had our tests done at the police station then), and a dog decided to walk across in front of me from the other side of the road. I slowed down a bit to let the dog reach the edge of the road, then continued to the police station.

When I parked the car, the licence tester got stuck into me saying I should have tooted the horn and not slow down. I obviously didn't say it as I wanted my licence, but thought this guy was an idiot since if I tooted the horn the dog may well have got frightened and got run over.

I did pass the test however.

[SM1DY]

While we're all having a whinge, can I have a go at people driving 80 on the highway who convince themselves they are being super safe drivers, yet all they're doing is creating an obstruction in a 100 zone?

[irish2]

Originally Posted by Arnaldo

I have been through my 3 kids with L plate training,
The L plate is there to alert other motorists that they are learning, so please cut them some slack and be patient, as well as cautious when driving with or near them and also do not teach them bad habits when driving in their vicinity, like tailgating.
There is NO excuse if the learners co driver was busy on their Iphone.
I hope that was the one you chose to talk to after this incident.

This goes both ways too. I live in a quiet area with lots of odd islands and things. Too often learners who can't actually drive are driving around the streets. By that I mean they are doing 30-40km/h and then brake to 20km/h for a gentle bend on 60km/h roads. They should be taught in a car park/industrial estate on a Sunday until they are confident enough to approach the speed limit.

[Spurious]

Warning: Horn broken...watch for finger!

[Itsme]

I think horn would be last thing on your mind while you are performing evasive action, well this seems to happen to me most times, then swearing & cursing comes last...

[Spurious]

The way I see it, no one pay's attention to a car horn anymore 'cause it happens all to often. Personally I don't pay any mind to the sound when I hear it even if it's directed at me. Drivers say "bye" to friends with it, drivers toot to signal to a waiting person to signify they are here, 20% of people at the local footy match toot when a goal is scored & most car alarms use the horn (we all tuned from those in carparks 20 years ago) Safe to say most people honestly wouldn't realize your tooting at them if you did. A horn is designed as a warning device to alert other road users to a hazard. Personally I only use my horn to shoo crows & such off road kill as I approach at speed (& it works), also used to frighten the poop out of my son when he opens the roller door for me LOL...geez I love that one!

[Ben73]

Can't say I have seen an accident caused by a horn. But I have saved my car a number of times by using the horn. Mostly on people who change lanes or unknowingly wander into my lane. Plus the horn lets a bit of frustration out.

I was once abused for using my horn by some random jerkoff. Car pulled out on me, I gave them a blast to let them know how stupid they were, then at the next traffic lights some random guy who had nothing to do with the incident had a go at me. He is probably bitter because he gets blasted all the time.

[madmatty]

I belive in nsw it is illegal to beep your car horn unless you are doing so to prevent a collision.people who beep when they leave home every day are annoying at best.

[4stanger]

Originally Posted by irish2

This goes both ways too. I live in a quiet area with lots of odd islands and things. Too often learners who can't actually drive are driving around the streets. By that I mean they are doing 30-40km/h and then brake to 20km/h for a gentle bend on 60km/h roads. They should be taught in a car park/industrial estate on a Sunday until they are confident enough to approach the speed limit.

No argument with me on what you have described there.

For the first couple of hours of training with my kids, I trained them at the local university on a weekend or sporting ground & parkland roads where there was no one in sight. Well away from any public traffic until I thought they were confident enough to do so, we have 100 hours to do here in Qld. & my kids did every minute in their log book.
Do not focus on the L platers with your frustrations on the roads, they are only doing what the trainer/parent (who is supposed to be experienced and fully licensed) sitting beside them, is allowing them to do.
We do live in a world where people have different ideas

[H.G]

I deliberately now TOOT my horn when I leave peoples places because thanks to this forum I know it ****** people off..

Im actually suprised some idiot hasnt made the FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS comment yet lol

[trentski]

My new car has the horn in the centre of the steering wheel, right where the airbag is. I certainly don't want my hand anywhere near it if there is any chance of it going off.