Opinion Talk

By ajw

July 29, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this

I like to honk my horn when I see someone’s window down or they are in a convertible. (;-)

By Jawjuh Gal

July 29, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

Anyone properly brought up knows you only honk your horn and wave when you see someone you know. You do NOT honk just because the light changes…

By Bronco

July 29, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this

The only time I honk is at the people who dress up in those costumes and stand out on the street trying to lure business in. Otherwise there are too many crazies out there who take it as an attack on them.

By Shawny

July 29, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

A little tap if they are sleeping when the light turns green. That is acceptable, and a public service, as they are holding up everyone in line and may cause some to not make the light.

A little tap if they are riding in the left lane, talking on the phone, and driving far slower than the other traffic, but only after they do not respond to the headlight flash.

By Dunn

July 29, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

I grew up in South Jamaica Queens…I honk my horn the smallest driving violation…lets face it…85% of the drivers in GA cannot drive.

By Chris

July 29, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

I honk my horn (a 2 second beep) when people don’t move when the light turns green………..after counting to 5. Like yesterday when this couple in front of me decided to go into a prolonged smooch session and (obviously) weren’t paying attention.

Otherwise, I only honk when someones about to hit me mostly due to improper lane changes, or if I see someone I know.

About my pet peeve: When I let someone in to get in front of me and they don’t wave thanks……….really p** me off. It’s like holding the door open for someone and they don’t say thank you.

By GaLiberal

July 29, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

I use my horn when someone is about to do something unsafe like run over me. I drive a Miata so I have to watch out for the soccer mommys in their SUVs yacking on their cell phones while swerving from lane to lane. It isn’t very loud, but it gets their attention.

I do use it when someone is not paying attention like when the light turns or they are straddling lanes. I just tap the horn as a reminder there are other people here and they need to be mindful. There are too many self-centered drivers and they cause most of the traffic tieups. But what do you expect from a bunch of Rethuglicons that believe they are entitled to their own 4-lane expressway.

By Serenity Now!

July 29, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this

I honk long and loud when someone on a cell phone sits at a green light. It’s even better if their window is open because it interrupts their call. I honk at all the following: jerks who ignore the “don’t walk” sign at crosswalks; people who begin to drift into my lane; baggy-pantsed “shufflers” who take too long to cross the street; and, especially, spandex-wearing girly-men riding bicycles in my right-of-way!

By BeepBeep

July 29, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

I rarely use my horn, but there are those occasions when people need to be reminded of things. I wait a few seconds if the light turns green before doing anything, I try inching up at first to see if they look up.

The only time I really honk is if someone pulls out in front of me and makes me slam on my brakes. I love how people think they can go from a dead stop to 55-65 when they get out in traffic when there is a car less than 50 feet from them.

It makes me insane!!

By demwit

July 29, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

horn broke, watch for finger

By Jawjuh Gal

July 29, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

this text will be italicI grew up in South Jamaica Queens…I honk my horn the smallest driving violation…lets face it…85% of the drivers in GA cannot drive.

uh, Dunn? Honey? 85% of the drivers in Atlanta are not from down here. I’d venture to guess that the overwhelming majority of them are from up your way. Perhaps there’s a connection between place of origin and lack of driving ability…?

By Serenity Now!

July 29, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Oh, yeah - I forgot one: I honk at anyone who still has a John Kerry bumpersticker on their car four years after the loser lost the election. And I’ll send a loud virtual ‘91 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham HONK!!!! to anyone who uses stupid words like “Rethuglicon”.

By Road Scholar

July 29, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Have you noticed that the “W” bumper/window stickers have all but disappeared?

I honk at rude and unaware drivers who also act as morons by disregarding my and others safety!

By Rick

July 29, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

I honk pretty much not at all. Nowadays, people don’t react. I can lay on the horn as someone is moving into my lane with inches to spare, and they will keep going, then either wave or give the finger. People don’t realize that they can be causing a dangerous situation; not to generalize, but so many drivers just don’t care any more about safety, and someone else’s horn is just intrusive into their lives.

As I’ve said a thousand times: If I cause you to hit your brakes, I’ve screwed up.

By Gerald

July 29, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

See…Dunn, It’s the New Yorkers and other Northerners who come down here with their nasty driving habits and blame it on Georgians! I honk my horn when somebody is about to hit me or make me hit them i.e. merging lanes. If I made $5.00 for every improper lane change I could catch on video, that would be my new full time job! I wouldn’t have to leave Gwinnette county!

By me

July 29, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

I honk my home a)if there’s someone I know or b)if someone is merging into my lane because they don’t see me Never, for road rage..people are crazy these days

By me

July 29, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

I honk my horn a)if there’s someone I know or b)if someone is merging into my lane because they don’t see me Never, for road rage..people are crazy these days

By Ed

July 29, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

I honk the obnoxious loud horn on my truck when some idiot thinks I should wait while he talks on the phone or some dumb girl, on the phone, thinks she wants to merge into a lane at the last minute and not wait her turn because she feels entitled to cheat and I ahve to wait on the dumb pos. I honk my horn until I know I have hit their last nerve. It’s better and more legal than what I really want to do to these types …but I don’t..and that’s to shoot them.

By Miss Manners

July 29, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Of course the “W” bumperstickers were removed shortly after the election. We are smart enough to know that the purpose of political bumperstickers is to promote a candidate before an election and they are meaningless afterwards, win or lose. We also maintain and wash our cars on a regular basis which makes it easier to remind us to remove outdated bumperstickers. Sheesshh - you people!

By RagginRoy

July 29, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

I lovvve to pass people on the right in my big ole SUV. As I pass by within inches, the uncontrolable shaking of those tiny little cars and wide eyed statled looks from the blast of my huge horn makes me giggle like a little girl. I sure hope your go-cart drivers are enjoying it as much as I do..

No? Then move to the right, morans.

By Jaybird

July 29, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Hey AJC, On opinion talk could we talk about whether we think that Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid should allow a vote on drilling for oil in the US instead of honking our horns. As it stands 75% of America wants to drill and the votes are there but Pelosi and Reid won’t allow a vote. Would this not be a more relevant conversation topic.

By cali girl

July 29, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

I honk when I see someone peeing on the side of the road just to let them him know he’s WRONG to do that. Also, because their hands are ‘busy’ I know they won’t shoot me for honking at them.

GO OBAMA!!

By Brian

July 29, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I honk at the “COEXIST” bumper sticker people that cut me off and don’t use a blinker….ever. The finger works well too.

By Level Playing Field

July 29, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Serenity Now, do you also honk at elderly pedestrians, or someone pushing a baby carriage, or someone who is just taking their time crossing the street, or do you just have it in for the slow-moving “shufflers” with the baggy pants?

By Serenity Now

July 29, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Only the shufflers. I respect the elderly and those who just gave birth, unless they’re John Kerry supporters, then they get the horn and finger.

By Ginger

July 29, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

I honk to avoid an impending accident. Any other use is just aggressive and rude.

By Mary Ann

July 29, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

I honk at Ginger - always was jealous of that floozy - especially when she got the attention of Gilligan and the Professor -God he was cute! One time, he made a horn out of a coconut and an electric eel and I put it on the little go kart made by the Skipper. The Howells thought it was so funny - Mrs. Howell laughed so hard, she wet her perfectly creased pants!

By Dan

July 29, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

Not all honks are created equal, I see drivers worthy of a pay attention tap, all the time. In my observation 99% of stupid maneuvers are made by distracted drivers so they need a kick in the pants occassionally. As far as aggressive NE drivers, sorry if you look at the problem objectively, it is quite obvious that in an area with 10 times the population density as Atlanta, you have no choice but to be a better driver, aggressive driving is not analogous with bad. Not paying attention is. Another little tip, I have been here 15 years and I am a fairly aggressive driver, but I always (well 99% we all get distracted) am aware of my surroundings and make it a point not to get boxed in and anticipate exits etc. I have been honked at twice, since I have been here (one came with the added bonus of a finger ;o) I am not saying I am a perfect driver, I am sure there are a few times when I should have been honked at, but the plain fact is, if you get honked at regularly, look in the mirror for the problem, cause it is you. Oh and I had the opportunity to drive around the country a couple of years ago and NO WHERE do people drive as fast as here that includes the north east.
Hope to see ya soon Rinny

By JohnnyReb

July 29, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

I agree with Ginger. Mostly only use the horn if an accident may occur or some obliviot pulls some dangerous move. Laying on the horn obsessively is obnoxious and tactic mostly utilized by yanks.

Hey Dunn, most of metro Atlanta is carpetbaggin’ yankees like you. Ya’ll loud-mouthed yanks loooove to brag about how great the North is, so why don’t ya’ll haul your sorry hides back up there (to Noo Yawk or whatever Left-wing cesspool you were spawned from)?!! Us Southerners drive just fine & could do with out so many carpetbaggers (& illegal invaders) on our roads!

By Chance

July 29, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

I live outside of Atlanta, far enough away, but I honk my horn when someone passes on my right then cuts me off in the left lane to get into the center turn lane. The right lane I’m talking about ends pretty quickly as a right turn lane.

As for the guy from up north, dude you all moved down here, we can’t help that your brethren northerners can’t drive : )

By steve

July 29, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

A short beep (less than 1 sec)to let user know the light has changed to green. A longer horn (2-3 seconds) if another driver is doing something unintentionally that might cause an accident with me. A long blast (4-5 seconds) for drivers cutting across lanes at the last second to take exits, make turns, etc (generally drive like they left their brain at home)

By Daytunaguy

July 29, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

You people who sound your horns aggressively to try to intimidate other drivers into doing your bidding know better than to act that way in a grocery aisle. You are out in the open on foot and if you yelled at the wrong person to move their cart out of your way you’d,to coin a phrase,”tote a —-whoopin’”. Sounding your horn aggressively is the same as yelling at someone,be careful,they may be having a bad decade and enroute to the firing range.

By BeepBeep

July 29, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

Serenity Now!

You crack me up… I honk at the illegals gathered out in the parking lot of WalMart on Sunday afternoon….who won’t move to let you by and the kids are throwing rocks at your car… They are lucky I just honk and not take them out in my gas guzzling SUV.

By jc_atl

July 29, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

I use my horn when someone is holding up traffic because they’re too busy talking on their cell. I use my horn when someone only partially merges into a lane, blocking the lane they were just in. I use my horn when someone cuts me off. I use my horn when someone is about to hit me. I use my horn when someone is asleep at the light when it goes green.

Americans CAN’T DRIVE by and large. Go spend some time in Germany and see what good drivers look like, and then return for the culture shock that is Atlanta’s interstates. In Germany you don’t have slow-moving cars impeding the fast lane. In Atlanta you have people planted in the far left lane doing the speed limit (or less) when there is a huge line of cars behind them. It is a passing lane you idiots!

By Citizen of the World

July 29, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

I honk when I think someone’s about to hit me of course, and I might give a little tap a few seconds after the light’s turned if I think the driver is unaware of the change. But I get really annoyed and honk if the person ahead of me throws a cigarette butt out the window. I don’t know what makes people think that’s OK.

By fishtales

July 29, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

Daytunaguy,

Have no problem honking at you OR telling you to your face if you have done something idiotic that affects me, my family or our safety. If your only reaction is to get physical…you better hope you took your roids that morning cause you’re gonna get it right backatcha partner.

By blahblahblah

July 29, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

Since I am the only person in the world who actually knows how to drive properly, I constantly honk my horn to remind you all of how perfect I am and how crappy you are.

By THE CATHOLIC HAMMER

July 29, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this

I second “Citizen of the World”!

Americans can not drive. It is because of the inherent liberalism of the American population. Everybody is “free” and “equal”, so they all deserve access to any and all roadways, lanes, and vehicles.

Conservative Germany knows this is not the case.

Everyone is not “free” and “equal”. We are all quite unfree, and quite unequal. We do not deserve access to all roadways, lanes, or vehicles.

If you aren’t comfortable driving 100+ MPH, you do not deserve access to properly designed limited access highways (the interstates and GA 400).

If you are not passing someone, you do not deserve access to the passing lane.

If you are not licensed to drive something larger than a 4-door sedan, you do not deserve access to an SUV.

AMERICA = LAND OF THE LIBERALS

By LOLO

July 29, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Ever notice there is a direct correlation to a 1) pitifully slow 2)erratic 3)unaware driver and the HANDICAP tag on the car??? That’s when I honk my horn!

By Mr. Spam

July 29, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

Yesterday, as I sat at a red light a blue buick raced up behind me. I immediately started to move my foot from the brake to the gas pedal to inch up so she could go around me to turn right. But apparently that wasn’t fast enough, so she blared on her horn. At that moment my foot went right back to the brake and she set there for a extra minutes for being a rude impatient b!tch. So typical in this once pleasnt southern city Sigh…

By Gods little tester

July 29, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

I honk at and get in the way of people who make the slighest infraction against me if they have a bumper sticker I don’t like. It’s fun to test all those bumper sticker christans. They usually go from holier than thou to hypocrite to raging manic in a few minutes. Over all the so called religious crowd are the most easily riled up group on the road. Stay away from Handicap tags those people can’t drive.

By Randy Thomas

July 29, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

First off, the only people who use horns are rednecks. No self respecting normal american honks his horn randomly. Usually it’s rednecks in their old Ford pick ups, with shotguns strapped to their dashboards, and their sisters sitting on their laps.

YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD HELP ATLANTA?!?! GET RID OF THE REDNECKS! THIS CITY WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE IF WE REPLACED THE REDNECKS WITH NORMAL INTELLIGENT FOLKS. SHOVE ALL OF THE REDNECKS IN ALABAMA AND LET THEM MARRY THEIR SISTERS AND WATCH NASCAR TILL THEIR HEART IS CONTENT. LEAVE OUR CITY. LEAVE IT NOW.

By Stone

July 29, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

To “Raggin Roy”: It’s morons NOT morans you dumb, selfish, SUV loving Southerner. We’re here to correct your spelling, grammar and to work for US!

By Stone

July 29, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

To “Raggin Roy”: It’s morons NOT morans you dumb, selfish, SUV loving Southerner. We’re here to correct your spelling, grammar and to employ you!

By Stone

July 29, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this

To “Raggin Roy”: It’s morons NOT morans you dumb, selfish, SUV loving Southerner. We’re here to correct your spelling, grammar and to employ you!

By MrHughes

July 29, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this

The only time you should honk your horn is when you are in imminent danger. One should not use their horn to talk unless you are passing someone you know and just being friendly because it’s unlikely they will see you waving. Everyone makes little mistakes when driving. That’s not what horns are for.

By bronxchic

July 29, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

This goes out to all you sorry, slow thinking, dumb crazy a%$ Atlanta (original or here over 10 years )drivers. I’m from the South Bronx, NY and I blow my NY horn every chance I get. You poeple are so straight faced when you drive that when I blow my horn (because you get to close to my NEW CAR)that you actually pay attention to what you’re doing. (like drive slower or stay in your lane.) And to all you native ATLANTIANS. Slow the hell down. Daytona 500 is in Florida You people are in a rush to get to work and in a bigger rush to get home. For what? To get your car totally wrecked? And what do you do when you get home? Sit your fat bumkin A$% at home to do nothing. If you don’t like the fact that US YANKEES are here more to Daytona Beach, Florida and join the Daytona 500. Atlanta will finally get up to pace. So I blow my horn and throw the birdie every chance I get, somethimes just for the heck of it!!!!! COUNTRY BUMKINS!!!!!!

By The Love Hack

July 29, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

My wife honks at any driver sporting a Bush/Cheney bumper sticker.

By GRITS Girl

July 29, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Wow. Such aggressiveness! It isn’t just the driving that makes people angry.

Bronxchic, clean up your language. You give females a bad name and make us Southern girls look better. Never mind, keep spewing foul language.

Stone, you have a job down here because we Southerners allowed you the opportunity through laws, etc. Oh wait, your arrogance shows us why Southern men are more gentlemanly than y’all up North.

Catholic Hammer, have you been to Italy? Obviously not, even though you are a “Citizen of the World”

By GRITS Girl

July 29, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Wow. Such aggressiveness! It isn’t just the driving that makes people angry.

Bronxchic, clean up your language. You give females a bad name and make us Southern girls look better. Never mind, keep spewing foul language.

Stone, you have a job down here because we Southerners allowed you the opportunity through laws, etc. Oh wait, your arrogance shows us why Southern men are more gentlemanly than y’all up North.

Catholic Hammer, have you been to Italy? Obviously not, even though you are a “Citizen of the World”

By Fireball Roberts

July 29, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

I honk my horn loud and long when an approaching vehicle is over the center line, and it happens a lot.

By Apple

July 29, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

I honk when I see an obvious street walker.

By JohnnyReb

July 29, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

bronxchic, why don’t you haul yer sorry yankee sewer-yap back to that God forsaken cesspool “Da Braahnx” with the rest of the your fellow crackhead, “gangstaz” & other assorted riffraff?!! Us real Southern folks don’t need or want ya’ll in our beloved Dixieland!

By Sherman

July 29, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this

When people don’t go on green. Somebody is veering into my lane. When a prostitute walks by. LoL. I also honk my horn, when I see people walking through traffic and they’re not looking or at other drivers who is not paying attention.

By MissNCranium

July 29, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

When the little man inside my head tells me to.

By BeepBeep

July 29, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Bronxchic,

If your loving NY is so great, go back where you came from. Other wise, keep your mouth shut or my country bumpkin will run your NEW CAR off the road.

You can’t start talking trash in a southern state about rednecks/country bumpkins….. WE ARE THE SOUTH…

If we wanted to be different, we would move… But southerners know better than to move, we have it great where we are. And obviously you think so too or you wouldn’t be down here.

SO pack up and head home, no one will miss your yankee a$$ anyway.

By Blue Devil

July 29, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this

I use my horn to get your attention to make sure you see me giving you the finger when you’re driving like an a-hole.

By Logical Dude

July 30, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

I honk when someone does something stupid to put their (or my) life in danger. Say, like turning right from the middle non-turn lane when I am in the right lane. You will be honked at because you were about to be hit, and you put yourself there to be hit.

I also honk if you do not notice the green light after 2 seconds. Some automated lights detect movement, and if there is no movement, will change to red faster. Please pay attention, or I’ll give you a friendly reminder.

I do not honk if you are a slowpoke in the left lane. I flash my lights at you. When you see these lights, it is not a threat. It is just a polite request for you to move to the right lane. I thank you for your cooperation.