When WILL car drivers ever learn what their horn is for?

[Bob]

I long ago learned that there is no point getting wound up by the idiocy of car drivers - their capacity for stupidity being truly mind-boggling and you'd be treading the road to madness if every time they did something foolish got to you.

But the other day, my patience snapped.

The scene: Single-lane road, comes up to large junction. Once over junction, there are two lanes, one goes off to one major road, the other is a slip road to yet another major road. Due to volume of traffic, this is normally backed up - on the day in question, car drivers were sitting in "do not enter" zones etc, making it very difficult to get going. So tempers were frayed.

The situation was not being helped by drivers trying to use whichever slip lane was emptiest, darting over then back again.

And this is at about 6pm, so it is dark (well as dark as street lights allow).

So... as I rode down the lane (the correct one, btw), I spotted a car start to pull out to change lane. There is traffic behind him, so it is fair to assume he cannot see me (despite riding a bright yellow bike, having reflective stickers on my helmet and stripes on my clothing made from Scotchlite 3M).

He is just in front of me, so I give him a toot to warn him I am approaching... in other words, I use my horn for EXACTLY the reason it is on my bike - to warn other road users of my presence.

His reaction? To hoot me back and yell at me!

No idea why it got to me this day - perhaps the ride home had been a touch more hard work than usual - but today it really got to me.

I slowed down, up went the visor and I yelled - probably the loudest yell I have ever managed - "FUCK OFF!" Obviously, the lights went red, so I had to sit there. I was fully expecting him to get out of the car and go for me, so I was fully prepared to make use of the obvious weapon, ie my helmet and headbutt the fucker. I think I spooked him though, as he kept way back from me, even though he could have pulled up right behind me.

But why, oh why, can't they understand a horn is to WARN people? Not use as a tool of abuse, or to say hello to their mates, or as a replacement for a doorbell?

It really is simple - use the horn when someone may not know you are there. Use it like that and it is a lifesaver. Use it for every purpose under the sun and it's value is diminished.

Grrr.

[Mongoose]

When they learn to spot motorcycles, may be the horn will be used. But even then only to tell you to "Piss off little person, my cage is bigger than you"

[Sniper]

Good point Bob,

Seems that some cages dont realise that we are not out there to piss them off in every which way possible. Im sure noone on this site jumps on their bike to deliberatly go out and piss off people in cages. I go out for a good ride and Im the one usually pissed off when I come back because of the pure stupidity of some drivers. I use the horn when I can. It can sometimes piss people off but I have no hard feelings if Im just looking out for myself.

Huh, I didnt expect to write that much. O well, time for a :apint:

[Blakamin]

or as a replacement for a doorbell?


My neighbours dont do that anymore.... something about getting me out of bed at 8am on a sunday.... brandishing a piece of wood, in just a pair of jeans (fairly moderate tattoo work over upper body/back) yelling something like "get out of the fucking car and fucking knock like everyone else you inconsiderate c*nt or I'll shove this bit of wood thru your fucking head"
I think I was a tad grumpy due to a hangover......

[Hitcher]

The horn, a.k.a. "The Italian brake pedal".

[Gasman]

Right on Bob! I have been out and about in the city over the last couple of days, and seem to have struck every dumb bastard ever born! My horn was used on several occassions to warn people that I was there, because they simply hadn't looked, either for me on a m/c or anything else for that matter! Plus, every-one seemed to want to drive REALLY slowly/erratically, or worse still, to stop part way through an intersection. GREAT! I just so love stopping in a hurry in the middle of an intersection.

It's holiday time, sure, but why do these numbnuts insist on sleeping while at the wheel?

:doh:

[Coyote]

But why, oh why, can't they understand a horn is to WARN people? Not use as a tool of abuse, or to say hello to their mates, or as a replacement for a doorbell?


Or, as the latest craze on What Now (NZ kids show) Honk along to the latest rap tunes at 8:30 on a sunday morning to win a petty prize like a rugby ball!

[6Chris6]

Im sure noone on this site jumps on their bike to deliberatly go out and piss off people in cages.

:o






only jokin.......mostly

[vifferman]

Depends to some extent on how you use your horn, I reckon.

I don't use the horn on the VifFerraRi much, as it's pathetic. However, on the VFR750, I'd upgraded the horn by adding an extra one, and wiring them through a relay using heavy-gauge wire straight to the battery. So instead of going "Beep.", it went "BEEEEEP!! Ow! Don't do that Dad - it hurts!!" (if used in the gargre, to get the kid's attention :innocent: ). So, if I wanted to say, "look out, Dude - I'm here!", it was a momentary press of the button, but if someone cut me off and I was grumpy, I'd hold the button down for 10 seconds or so till they got the message and everyone around knew they'd been a dick. Or dickess. Or dickless.

[StoneChucker]

get out of the fucking car and fucking knock like everyone else you inconsiderate c*nt or I'll shove this bit of wood thru your fucking head
I know exactly how you feel! I only hope, ONCE in my lifetime, that I'll be able to execute such an eloquent expression of my feelings, that was brilliant!

Vtwin and I have these, err, "interesting" neighbours who fit this bill :angry2:

[Blakamin]

Depends to some extent on how you use your horn, I reckon.

I don't use the horn on the VifFerraRi much, as it's pathetic. However, on the VFR750, I'd upgraded the horn by adding an extra one, and wiring them through a relay using heavy-gauge wire straight to the battery. So instead of going "Beep.", it went "BEEEEEP!! Ow! Don't do that Dad - it hurts!!" (if used in the gargre, to get the kid's attention :innocent: ). So, if I wanted to say, "look out, Dude - I'm here!", it was a momentary press of the button, but if someone cut me off and I was grumpy, I'd hold the button down for 10 seconds or so till they got the message and everyone around knew they'd been a dick. Or dickess. Or dickless.
everytime I go for thehorn on the Duc, I just end up cancelling the indicators... then I stop fuming and give them the finger! :angry2:

[Krayy]

everytime I go for thehorn on the Duc, I just end up cancelling the indicators... then I stop fuming and give them the finger! :angry2:
The one thing I find is that when the initial panic of a near miss sets in, the thumbs get lost and I end up doing the passing light, indicators, full beam, THEN the horn, by which times hes gone and I'm thinking "Shoulda just kicked his door in"

[crashe]

Or, as the latest craze on What Now (NZ kids show) Honk along to the latest rap tunes at 8:30 on a sunday morning to win a petty prize like a rugby ball!

Is this for real....?
Cos a complaint to TVNZ should be laid.... and tell them to read the road code book about horns and their useage.......
TVNZ control "What Now" tv programme.

Cos if any little upstarts started hitting there horn for that, I would go out and rip the friggin horn out of the car... its bad enough that we have to listen to the bass sound thumping in the neighbourhood all the time...
(I asked a teenager once about the bass noise and could they hear the music properly and what the passengers were saying to them. Their answer back was " Oh we wear earplugs in our ears when we are in the car" and so the point of the bass is what then????
I did also point out that they will go deaf and that I and the rest of NZ and the government, sure aint gonna be paying for their hearing aids when they require them... and that they will end up with permanant Tinnitus.

[inlinefour]

When they learn to spot motorcycles, may be the horn will be used. But even then only to tell you to "Piss off little person, my cage is bigger than you"

In some situations riders put themselves in such stupid situations (usually kids on scooters) that they really deserve to be knocked to the ground. Yea there are cage drivers that do not like being passed by a bike, but thats their problem. I like to smile and wave to them as I go on past :laugh:

[Roadrash]

Imagine a day when you won't need a horn, when drivers look before they change lanes, a day when they don't pull out from a stop or giveway knock you off your bike and then state that all it needs is a bit of glue and wonder why you then proceed to beat them to death with your helmet...
then wake up back to reality and get depressed
or VERY ANGRY, they are and always will be blind and thick as two planks
:Playnice:

[Coyote]

Is this for real....?
Cos a complaint to TVNZ should be laid.... and tell them to read the road code book about horns and their useage.......
TVNZ control "What Now" tv programme.

Its for real, thats for sure. Every episode, they get a kid to call up and bring their phone to their car and they will have to beep along to a certain tune (normally the biggest hit at the time like scribe, one of those idols, etc.). They normally run this game between 8:30-9:00 Sunday morning

If you wanna watch the show to see this, be warned, What Now isn't the toilet humour show that everbody loved, it has become this musical shitfest, fun filled with pop culture!

[crashe]

Its for real, thats for sure. Every episode, they get a kid to call up and bring their phone to their car and they will have to beep along to a certain tune (normally the biggest hit at the time like scribe, one of those idols, etc.). They normally run this game between 8:30-9:00 Sunday morning

If you wanna watch the show to see this, be warned, What Now isn't the toilet humour show that everbody loved, it has become this musical shitfest, fun filled with pop culture!

Whitbait productions run "What Now" Wellington (03) 3397101

[avgas]

I think horns should be removed from all vehilce's except cranes and trains.
They are a complete and utter waste of time as they will allways be missused.
I have only every used my horn 4 times (on bike and in car) - and that was simply just to say hello/goodbye as i left they're place.
Funny thing is most people use it instead of thinking and getting themselves out of a situation.
A horn does not engage the brakes in a cage.

[Coyote]

A horn does not engage the brakes in a cage.
Thats a good idea!!! I'm gonna link my Lasers horn to the brakes!

All I use the horn for now is to make a makeshift alarm. When someone hot wires the car, the horn will go on. I would explain how I do it, but you either know or don't care, and I can't explain it legibly anyway :p

[Krayy]

I think horns should be removed from all vehilce's except cranes and trains.
They are a complete and utter waste of time as they will allways be missused.
I have only every used my horn 4 times (on bike and in car) - and that was simply just to say hello/goodbye as i left they're place.

I have had to use the horn in anger in the cage a few times when some blind-as-a-bat idiot decides he wants to be where my cage currently is, but there is one nagging problem. The air bag is inside the steering wheel, and one day I might hit it a little too hard and fast for it's liking. Now if that don't freak the wife out, I don't know what will.
:2thumbsup

[vifferman]

I think horns should be removed from all vehilce's except cranes and trains.
They are a complete and utter waste of time as they will allways be missused.I've often thought about this.
It's probably true that there's no real need for a horn on a vehicle, with the possible exception of to alert other drivers around very tight and narrow bends that you're approaching, and even then, if both parties were driving slowly enough there'd be no need to sound your horn. Also, if someone was rolling back towards you, and didn't notice you behind them. Or the lights have changed, and the person in fornt of you is still [doing their makeup / reading the paper / eating breakfast / doing the housework] then a friendly toot will wake them up before the tempers of commuters behind them get frayed.
My loud horns on the VFR750 were used to piss off / 'punish' errant drivers, and/or to draw attention to their misdemeanours. A way of venting, but ultimately futile and puerile, I guess.

I have only every used my horn 4 times (on bike and in car) - and that was simply just to say hello/goodbye as i left they're place.I REALLY REALLY hate people doing this. It doesn't say "Hello" or "Goodbye". It does say, "I'm blowing my horn! I got it for Christmas! I forgot to say goodbye, so I'm engaging in this rude and impersonal act instead!"
Think carefully about what it really does say about you if you do this.

And never never ever do it again. :Pokey:

Ever.
Never ever.

Funny thing is most people use it instead of thinking Like you just admitted to doing. Shall I poke you in the eye with a stick another time?

...and getting themselves out of a situation.
A horn does not engage the brakes in a cage.I think you've probably missed the point. In almost all cases, people will brake/swerve first before or while tooting the horn, so it's just to say, "Idiot! You did something dumb! Don't do it again or I'll tootle you more vigorously next time! And then you'll be really sorry!" :lol:

[mini_me]

me gonna get one of those little ait hooter thingos that they use @ rugby matchs and motogp meetings and velcro it to my tankbag then ill be able to ride up to open window of the person in question and liberally use my horn in his face (probably wont work for moving traffic tho)

[Skunk]

Whitbait productions run "What Now" Wellington (03) 3397101If it's Wellington it'll be 04 and the rest doesn't look like a Wgtn number to me either... :eek5:

[Aiolos]

I believe thats a christchurch number.

[gav]

Why have they got a Christchurch number if they are in Wellington?
ahhh sorry................... :laugh: couldnt resist............................... :Oops:

[Deano]

I was fully expecting him to get out of the car and go for me, so I was fully prepared to make use of the obvious weapon, ie my helmet and headbutt the fucker.

Personally I would remove my helmet first.

Anyone quick enough to grab you by the helmet has got you pretty well fucked due to the leverage. Being swung around by the neck is not a good look.

[crashe]

If it's Wellington it'll be 04 and the rest doesn't look like a Wgtn number to me either... :eek5:

Ooops did I write in Wellington ... sorry.....

[NordieBoy]

Ooops did I write in Wellington ... sorry.....

I don't know.
Where are you writing from?

[Krusti]

On subget of stupid car drivers, went to a mates funeral last year, hundreds of bikes following coffin to crematorium. They had guys stopping traffic at lights etc. Very well done. Got to roundabout, all cars stopped paying respect to hundreds of bikes.

This wanker in suit decided he was not giving way to any biker filth and drove into roundabout, me seeing red pulled out in front of him and as he was about to T bone me another guy kicked the door of his nice late model Falcon!

Lucky for me he stopped!

Lucky for him no one was about to get left behind.

Arrogant Bastard!

[Roadrash]

what now moved to Christchurch
nice day for a ride !!!

[The Pastor]

Old thread but point needed to be made


LOUD EXHAUST > horn.

[sunhuntin]

i dont really bother with scuffys horn either, as all it seems to do is deafen me somewhat....cagers dont seem to notice it. and yes, like others, i fumble between the lights, passing light, and finally find the horn when theyre a block away and im on a red.
they do seem to be very pointless.....
and im not fond of the whole earphones while driving either! just means they are doubly deaf and distracted. if they have the 'phones in and at the usual idiotic volume, how are they meant to hear anything else....ie, sirens?