Home > Snellville.Talk > Archives > 2008 > April > 10 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat drives you to honk?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“I couldn’t believe it,” my daughter exclaimed. “This lady - she was about your age - cut me off and almost hit me. I honked the horn, and she flipped me off.”
Uh-oh, I thought. My daughter had honked the horn!
It was as if she told me she had tried out four-wheeling — without a helmet. (Oh, wait, she told me that, too.) Obviously I have failed to teach her some things in her 23 years.
Honking the horn doesn’t mesh with being polite and courteous, unless of course it is a friendly, goodbye honk as you wave to relatives standing on the porch.
Even the quick “excuse me” honk given to someone who sits through an entire traffic-light cycle can come off as rude.
More importantly, honking can be dangerous business — a lesson I learned decades ago when a woman almost drove into me in a shopping center parking lot on Pleasant Hill Road. I honked and slammed on brakes. She stopped in front of my car, got out, came back, shouted and beat on my window. I’ll never forget her eyes. When I drove away, she followed me through three parking lots. It was the Christmas season.
That was before “road rage” regularly made headlines.
Over the years, I have used my horn rarely (though I admit to straying maybe once or twice when the provocation was egregious). I’ve even cringed when nearby motorists emitted blasts that I feared could be mistakenly credited to me.
My daughter’s tale led me to wonder: what are the laws and etiquette for horn honking. When should you — and when should you not — honk?
Cpl. Rob Rude, public information officer for Gwinnett County Police, said the law only allows drivers to sound the horn when it is “reasonably necessary to ensure safe operation” of the vehicle. (OCGA 40-8-70).
“In other words, you can’t honk on the horn because you are mad at someone,” he said.
Rude acknowledged that police rarely issue citations for horn blowing, but they can.
Intense horn blowing also could fall under the “aggressive driving” law (OCGA 40-6-397), which says - among other things - that a driver cannot intentionally “annoy, harass … intimidate …” other drivers, said Detective Cpl. Tim Colgan of the Snellville Police Department. Colgan teaches driver’s education classes at New London School of Driving in Loganville.
Colgan, who was a patrol officer for 12 years and has been a detective for eight, said he’s never cited anyone for misuse of their horn. “I think an officer would have to witness it,” he said.
Alan Deighton, president of New London School of Driving, said his school teaches its students that horns can be dangerous because of the violent nature of drivers today.
“We tell them that you don’t ever know if the person may explode,” Deighton said. “We’ve seen it with our student driver cars - someone will come up and act outrageous behind them. We’ve even had soccer moms with all their stickers on the SUV and their kids in the car come up and honk the horn and give the finger. It’s unbelievable. So we tell our students to use the horn only when necessary. Otherwise, they should take a long breath and let it go.”
Do you honk? When?
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By Tom
April 10, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
I honk at anyone I see throwing crap out of their car window…..especially cigarette butts. You wanna be a pig?…fine, just keep it to yourself.
By Gomer Pyle
April 10, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
When the braves and Falcons don’t win and the price of gas keeps rising and people that don’t know how to drive and last but not least taxes.
By Summer
April 10, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
I have lived in Atlanta my entire life and unfortunately I currently live in Snellville. I have always honked when people deserve it. If you cut someone off and drive dangerous and recklessly, then expect to hear my horn. It should be a wake up call to the (unwelcome) new residents of Snellville that you can’t just do whatever you want on the road and expect everyone else just to sit back and accept it. I say your daughter did the right thing. You raise us to be strong and independant and guess what? You get what you ask for.
By Mark
April 10, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Hello, my name is Mark, and I’m a honker. If anyone cuts me off, pulls out in front of me, drives too slow in the wrong lane, waits until the last minute to merge, I honk. And I honk long. Anyone that has a problem with my honking is invited to walk up to my vehicle and meet Mr. Glock. It’s happened in the past, and they quickly retreat. Good decision.
By Ash
April 10, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
I honk when idiots like the driver for Comcast #14081 run me off the road and almost get me killed. Thanks idiot, blinkers were put there for a reason and please look before you get over.
By John
April 10, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
I honk at idiots that run stop signs/red lights when I’m going through the intersection. Get off the cell phones now!
By FarLeftLoons
April 10, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
I honk at the morons who stop at signs that say “Keep Moving”. This usually happens at the top of a freeway exit, turning right.
By Storm
April 10, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
I honk at the idiots who pull out in front of me from a shopping center, as I’m doing 65 MPH and I have to slam on my brakes. I had one guy, with a handicapped license plate, who saw me coming, yet waited until the last possible second to pull out in front of me. I was doing about 60 MPH. Not only did I honk, but I flipped my finger at him and gave him an extremely nasty look as I passed him, then cut right in front of him!!!!! WTF, I know you saw me, you waited, then you pulled out. The handicapped sticker obviously was mental…….
I honk at the guy who is sitting through a green light.
By Randall
April 10, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
When someone pulls out in front of me, I like to run right up on their rear bumper and LAY DOWN on the horn. When it becomes safe to pass them, I do so, and while passing, I CONTINUE LAYING DOWN ON THE HORN until I am at least 100 yards ahead of them. Then I get back over.
I also blow the horn at people who are driving in the left lane at the same speed as the person in the right lane, effectively blocking me from driving the speed at which I wish to travel. When they finally get over and I get around them, I LAY DOWN on the horn until I pass them.
Other than that, I’m pretty courteous.
By Jersey Driver
April 10, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
I learned to drive in Jersey in the 70’s - my driver’s ed teacher taught me how to blow the horn and that the bigger car always has the right of way. I honk at everyone who, in my mind, is doing something stupid, driving too slowly, driving too fast, running red lights, sitting at green lights, stopping at crosswalks with no one in them, etc. I especially honk at people with John Kerry stickers still on their cars 4 years after the flake lost!
By Jennifer
April 10, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
I’m not a full-time honker however, I do honk when someone pulls out in front of me, pauses too long after the light turns green or doesn’t use their blinker and makes an abrupt stop to make a turn. If they’d put the cell phone down for just 2 seconds, they could be able to drive responsibly. Buy a bluetooth people!! Geez!
By T.O
April 10, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
HOT CHICKS!!!
By Kim
April 10, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
I’m a regular horn blower, especially at you ugly SUVs, but I have to question this: “I honk at the idiots who pull out in front of me from a shopping center, as I’m doing 65 MPH and I have to slam on my brakes.” Um, which shopping center has a 65mph speed limit in front of it?? Methinks the problem is YOU sir. Also, you ugly SUV’ers who think this is true: “the bigger car always has the right of way” - wrong. Just try it, I could use the money & a new car.
By Becky
April 10, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Boy, some of you need to really relax some..Take a valium or something..
By Storm
April 10, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Kim The speed limit may not be 65, it is posted at 55, but that’s what traffic is running at. Peachtree Industrial Blvd, north of Duluth.
Also Kim try and tangle with me and my big a$$ SUV (Suburban). I’ve got $10 that says I win…especially if you are in some stupid little foreign car. You’ll be getting a new car for sure, BUT you will be paying for it.
The other idiots I honk at are the ones who try to ‘snake’ into a lane at the very last possible minute.
By KC
April 10, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Gosh, Such anger. Could everyone PLEASE get a grip. It really is just a minor thing when one looks at the bigger picture. I mean, you could be dying from cancer. Would you honestly treat someone this badly to their face? I had to laugh at the Officer’s name though. Rob Rude? Kind of fits the above bloggers.
By KC
April 10, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Sorry guy who just honks at HOT CHICKS. Your just immature, not rude.
By KC
April 10, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
Oh and Storm…. I’ll be working you up in my ER soon for you MI. Try saying OOOHHHMMMMM.
By DG
April 10, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
I honk when ppl are going 40mph in the left lane
By Annette Kesting
April 10, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
All you honkies really pi$$ me off.
By Dan
April 10, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
To people who think it is rude to honk at someone sitting at a green light. If you don’t honk (and it can be a polite one) aren’t you being rude to those behind you who are also waiting. other instances people who stop at yellow lights (if you were supposed to stop at a yellow why even have it?) people who stop at keep moving signs people who stop at green arrows generally people who aren’t paying attention
By BG
April 10, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Sometimes you just have to honk the horn. Like this morning on 75N by the 120 loop somebody decided i was invisible and they wanted to merge into me. Had I not honked, I may not be writing this right now. I also Honk Long and Loud at people who stop at “KEEP MOVING” Signs. Check your blind spot and learn to read idiots!
By mike
April 10, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
I honk at people who are distracted if they are holding everybody up. You name it. Cell phones (especially), reading, writing, eating, applying makeup. I was going to a dr’s appt yesterday and found myself behind one cell phone yakker after another. I’m suprised my horn still works. Sadly, I think people ENJOY inconveniencing others.
By michelle
April 10, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
i’m sorry some of you think that it’s not worth honking at someone else, or that it’s rude, or that we need to chill and take a valium.
if you were doing something wrong that affects the entire world around you, wouldn’t you want to know so that you wouldn’t do it again in the future?
by some of the answers i’ve seen, i would assume NO…”your” world is more important than the world the rest of us share with you, therefore, you are being selfish.
i honk. and if you dont’ like it, i really don’t give a $h!t. you were doing something wrong and needed to know it. it’s amazing how some people even obtain their licenses…
By JG
April 10, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
People who do not signal, which is about half this damn state!
By AK
April 10, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
I think that it is ok to honk at people, it is rude, but cutting me off is ruder. I do however think that it’s not appropriate to honk over everything and flip out and lay on the horn. Some people need anger management while others need drivers ed. There is nothing wrong with honking at people who don’t know how to drive. And the #1 rule to idiot drivers, if there is more than one lane and you are slow, move over!
By Anne
April 10, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Yes, I use my horn….for people who merge without looking, aren’t paying attention when the light turns green (on the phone, make-up, etc.), driving slow in the left lane, waiting until I’m right up on them and pulling out, cutting me off. Oh yeah, I feel for all these people that spent huge money on Escalades and the like and didn’t get the turn signal option!!! WTF?!? I have no problem utilizing my horn. As far as people like Storm and their big a$$ SUV’s…I drive a Honda Accord and would love to take you on and I seriously doubt I’d be the one purchasing my new car. Bigger isn’t always better and it already sounds like you drive like an a$$.
By Lolo
April 10, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
I have noticed a direct correlation with handicap tags and poor driving. I honk at them, and anyone who is coming at me head on over the yellow line. Oh and don’t sit through a green light either.
I cut slack to the people with armed forces tags, particialy the old POW’s
By Dan
April 10, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
I think we should all be issued little dart guns when we get a license. (The kind with a suction cup attached to a red flag) This way when you see someone do something stupid, you shoot there car. Then cops could ticket people with 3 or more flags. There would be cars all over atlanta that looked like red porcupines!
By Bill
April 10, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
I’m fed up with the way people think they own the road in Atlanta! I was getting on 85 from 285 Friday and had someone try and cut me off at the exact point where the highway and grass meet! Not only did she try and cut me off, but would not stop coming even though she saw I would not stop. I gently and kindly laid on my horn for a minimum of 45 seconds until she realized that I WOULD NOT STOP. Not only that, when she filed in behind me, she decided to ride my tail. I took this as a sign that she wanted her front end rearranged, so I brake checked her and smiled as I did it. If people would use common sense instead of trying to cut people off, I’m sure acts like mine would not be necessary. Until that happens, I will continue laying on my horn and brake checking when I deem it necessary.
By Kat
April 10, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Uh, Dan. Gallagher called - he wants his joke from the ’80s back.
By One Man's View
April 10, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Using the reversible lanes of US78 incorrectly deserves much honking. Namely when I come face to face with someone turning left in front of me in a straight through lane. Or when I come up on someone in a straight through lane turning left.
I would like to honk at cell phone users, but I don’t. They are as a group the worst drivers on the road, except for maybe elderly Japanese. There are no words to describe what they do.
By Al
April 10, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
I honk at any jerk who thinks that because the light has only been red for just a few seconds, then it’s still OK to run that light in the face of everyone trying to proceed on green. I don’t care if you’ve been waiting forever at that intersection to turn left…we ALL have to wait in Gwinnett traffic. (I use the extra time to count my blessings! I am very thankful for the luxury of being able to pilot my very own car anywhere I want, maybe pick up some food on the way home and eat in the comfort of an air-conditioned dwelling with four walls and a roof. Many in this world are not as blessed).
As for the “Keep Moving” signs, if they were also listed in several foreign languages then there would probably be a lot less honk-able incidents at them…but then that would open up a whole different can of worms!
By Gomer Pyle
April 10, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Bill you sound like rugular old butt hole.Rave on cat crap some one will come along and cover you up.Sha-zam
By AeroNautica0909
April 10, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this
I honk my horn when people cut me off too close where I can’t step on the brakes enough without possibly hitting someone. I also honk the horn when someone is coming into my lane without looking. I hold down my horn long enough until they realize that they are doing something wrong and then I left off the horn. Finally, I use the horn if someone is still waiting a traffic light for more than 5 to 10 seconds after it turns green.
Essentially, I use my horn to let people know they need to pay more attention to highway conditions.
By Racebaiter
April 10, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
True, there ARE occasions where I wish instead of my horn going “honk” it could just go “ahem” (like a clearing of the throat). Sometimes you just want the driver’s attention and you’re not angry (like if the light just turned green).
By annoyed
April 10, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
I honk when people who are in a lane with a green light realize they are in the wrong lane and block up traffic in order to get into another lane in which the light is, of course, red! Show some courtesy!! Keep going and do a u-turn. Just because you don’t know where your going doesn’t mean the rest of us should have to suffer!!
By soma
April 10, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
Now don’t forget the persons that are talking on their cell phones and not paying attention…..I wish I could get the SOUND of a TRACTOR TRAILER horn installed in my car. Do they make them?…..you are not that important to be talking and driving so that you cannot pay attention.
"B E E P - move it buddy"By sm
April 10, 2008 6:39 PM | Link to this
I am a honker and don’t understand folks who never honk. There are many times when my honk has saved my life from some idiot driver merging without looking, etc.
I also give a little mini honk to those at traffic lights who are too busy to notice the light has turned green.
Though, my biggest offense is when i travel down Hwy 13/Old 85 when folks wait until the last minute to get into the right lane to get onto the connector and block the left lane through traffic by stopping. I have found that if i blare my horn they eventually just go straight find another way to the highway. Your lack of knowledge of what to do on the road or lack of caring about others on the road gives me the right to honk at you and tell you are doing something wrong. I expect others to do the same to me.
By Drive to LIVE!!
April 10, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
I definitely honked at the 18-wheeler who decided to turn left from the center lane (which was NOT a left turn lane) and almost made my Mazda 6 a grease spot on Cherokee Street in Kennesaw. Oh, yeah, and he was talking on his CELLPHONE. Please pay attention to the road and make that call when you get home…That trucker needs to have his license revoked ASAP. Be careful out there folks.
By Terri
April 10, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
We need two levels of horn honkability. One that signals AHEM, another that signals that you think the other driver is a complete moron.
By Huh?
April 10, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Storm is a big bully as long as he’s in his SUV. He’d be too chicken to face someone outside his vehicle for fear he’d get a butt whoopin’(or worse). It sounds like he has a security problem and tries to remedy his problem by buying an SUV.
Intimidating people by bullying them with a vehicle is petty stuff. Whining crybaby.
By TW
April 10, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
I heard about a campaign out there to honk at those who have forgotten to scrape the black ‘W’ stickers off their cars. Now that he’s ruined our country, the sticker might as well be an ‘I’, for ‘I’m’ one of the Idiots who voted for him. Please help us remind those who’ve forgotten these stickers are still on their cars.
By ce
April 10, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
I honk at the person who is not driving with the flow of traffic due to talking on their cell phone. I usually try to go around the person and give them the “EVIL EYE” as I pass their car.
By Juan
April 10, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this
What drives me to honk?
Ignorant coons who don’t know how to use a turn signal!
By KC
April 11, 2008 5:28 AM | Link to this
Right on TW!!!!!!!!!
By Katie
April 11, 2008 5:58 AM | Link to this
Idiot behavior: no turn signals, waiting 10 seconds to go after a light has turned green, coming into my lane because you’re talking on your f-ing cell phone and not paying attention. Stuff like that.
By robo
April 11, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this
Idiots who never learned what “Yield” means. Usually these creeps have a blank, dullard look on their faces, which gives me real confidence in the authority that gives these cretins drivers licenses.
Oblivious jerks on cellphones trying to look important. Give it a rest. Everone has cellphones these days, so you are not special. Move along, nothing to see here.
Inconsiderate a-holes that risk MY life by cutting me off when I have the right-of-way. Usually these dirtwads also fall into the No. 2 category.
By Jojo
April 11, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
I don’t make a habit at honking due to the nuts in the world. The only time I may bother is when some idiot tries to merge into my lane with me right next to them. And some of them actually keep coming and I have to slam on my brakes to avoid a collision. Or at the daydreamer sitting at a green light blocking everyone behind them.
I don’t bother with the slow poke drivers because honking only makes most of them go slower because they feel they have to prove a point. And I refuse to get into a p** contest on the freeway with some idiot.
By Katie
April 11, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
Jojo, I’m with you on the p** contest. All cars today will go 100 mph, big deal. If you want to race by me, go for it. You’re the one that looks like the idiot. And guess what fools, buying a small compact car, that is fuel efficient, isn’t so fuel efficient when you drive at at 90 mph. Duh!!!! I hate stupid people, period. Which, by the way, means I hate approx 85% of all people.
By xtimastah
April 11, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
I don’t honk unless someone is not moving when they should. And that’s only to give them a headsup.
Honking at people the just p** you off accomplishes zero. Makes you feel better? How about it increases your blood pressure and actually makes you worse off.
By mkj
April 11, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
I honk when drivers are SPEEDING in the school zone on Wade Green Rd! It generally gets their attention.
By Magenta
April 11, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
I understand the need to honk, but in congested, tricky traffic being honked at can be very distracting, when you’re watching the people in front of you, your mirrors, etc. You wonder, “What now? Are they honking at me?” and that split-second lapse can result in a wreck. I honk in emergencies, if I think it will do any good — otherwise, I rely on the parts of the car that can save my life, such as the brake and the steering wheel.
By KIM
April 11, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
I don’t honk unless I believe I will be hit by another car, but what concerns me on the road are the drivers who use cell phones. I am guilty of that, too, but have started to pull over if I talk. My husband insists the age group of cell users in cars is 16-30 (and female. While there may be published data to support his belief, I have also noticed (and have no real data) that the number reduces significantly if the person has small children in the car. Honking a horn is a waste of time usually, but if it makes the driver of the other car more aware, then maybe we should consider it…or perhaps revert to the days of “Grease” and convert our tires/fenders into flame throwing spears..j/k.
By GM
April 11, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
My big gripe (and I honk at them) are those folks who just have to make it through the light when the traffic is backed up and they end up blocking the intersection after their light turns red. They ignore the “DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION” signs because they think they are too important to wait through another light cycle. Just a day or so ago I saw a dude in a pickup pulling one of those long trailers hauling cars who pulled into the intersection at Park Place as his light was turning yellow. Traffic was backed up on 78 with no place for him to go. The traffic on Park Place turning left barely had enough room to turn but those folks going straight across had no chance. They just had to sit there while their light turned red again becuase of this idiot blocking almost the whole intersection.
By One Man's View
April 11, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Driving is one of the few activities for which we all have little choice as to when and where we do it. It is the ultimate equal participation activity, regardless of skill levels or concerns about your fellow participants.
The obnoxious and rude can pretty much be avoided in most all other functions, even if not doing it is required. I don’t have to go to UGA football games. I don’t have to go to Wal-mart the day after Thanksgiving. I can grocery shop Sunday in the AM.
But driving I cannot avoid. The rudeness level is something to behold. Honking won’t help. At best it is simply venting. Our gadgets have made us only more self-centered. A cell phone user in traffic or in a restaurant is really saying to those aournd him or her, that you don’t matter. I can be obnoxious to my heart’s content, and there is nothing that you can do about it. Just another step in man’s inhumanity to man, in my opinion, and I have to be a part of it.
By RTJ
April 11, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
People in RIGHT TURN ONLY lanes who try to beat out traffice only to merge over a very last second…especially bad on P’tree Ind.Blvd. in Duluth. They deserve horns! Love when Duluth police catches them.
By HonkerGrl
April 11, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
I will honk at people who are speeding in a School Zone when the lights are flashing and children are present. This happens a lot on Sugarloaf Pkwy near Five Forks and I have called the police many times to complain. Also people please - SLOW TRAFFIC KEEPS RIGHT - no matter if you’re on 78, 124, Sugarloaf, wherever. It is not your job to ride in the left lane and start a parade - MOVE OVER and let the rest of us drive! I think the people in Gwinnett County must have missed that page in drivers ed!
By Katie
April 12, 2008 6:31 AM | Link to this
Horns are installed in vehicles for a reason. You should not get upset if someone honks at you—you’ve obviously done something worth being honked at. If you can’t handle a little reprimand (the horn) then grow up. It p** me off when I honk at someone, for a valid reason, and they get all puffy about it. Learn your lesson and don’t do it again. The same applies to me, if I’ve done something wrong then I deserve the horn too!!! It goes both ways. We should all be acting like adults on the road, not little diaper babies.
By Sayme
April 12, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
You know the notherneers, they honk the daylights out of you.Even when it is un necessary, and if you don’t move off in a split of a second when the lights change they honk.People are still tearing through the red lights and at times we have to go when the coast is clear. Why guys, this is Atlanta for heaven’s sake and stop being a jerk with your annoying honking and long ones too as if you are mad with the whole world. Get a life and try to be more calm.
By Mark
April 12, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Sayme
“notherneers”? I honk at your illiteracy……
Another product of a southern education. My defense rests.
By Wendy's has a salad bar
April 13, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
I demand they make our car horns louder with a more punitive dissonant chord and we should only be allowed to honk in hospital zones or church parking lots.
Horns are weapons. I hooked up my panty-waist corolla horn to a junked 18 wheeler horn and I attached three extra batteries to it, and when I blow, I clear traffic for a half a mile.
Sometimes I just sit there and wonder about all the great things I’ve done in traffic with my uber-horn.
Lovin’ life here.
By Brock
April 13, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I don’t know anyone who has ever been injured by hearing the sound of a horn. The premise of this blog seems to support the irrational idea that a honk does some harm.
I honk to prevent accidents and move people along at green lights when they are not paying attention. If another driver gets bent out of shape about my proper use of a horn, it’s his problem.
And I love the people who say someone honked immediately after the light changed! If you knew when the light changed, you’d be going by now and no one would honk. Admit your mistake with a little wave and go on.
By Wendy's bar
April 13, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
Keep honking at people, Brock, keep honking. It’s harmless. Never caused a lick ‘o road rage neither. If more people honked, everything would be just perfect. So to sum up, brock, you need to be honking more in traffic, and you’ll set things righteous like, nice like, word, bru.
By Brock
April 14, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
Hey Wendy’s bar, if you have issues with hearing a horn, I’ll make an exception for you. Put a bumpersticker on your car so I know it’s you. Perhaps something like, “I’m criminally insane.”
By Cindy
April 14, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
I have seen bumper stickers that say “Keep Honking…I’m reloading”.
Yeah, I don’t honk at them.
I don’t put stickers on my cars either. I must confess, I have before got confused and instead of using the blinker stick, I’d use the windshield wiper stick…I got confused. I’ve also accidentally honked the horn (same concept…confused it with another car function). Thankfully nobody was angered by it.
Sometimes I honk of handsome fella’s…makes my teenage daughters call me a perv. It’s not my fault they’re out cutting grass or something without a shirt…I mean…how am I suppose to un-see that?
By 2U4U
April 14, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Like Wendy said, brock, keep honking. The world will soon enough be a better place.
By Tim
April 14, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Would the SUV haters please identify their vehicle with a sticker that says “Bedwetting Liberal NutBag On Board”? That way I can save my horn and just go ahead and squash you like a bug when you pull out in front of my 4WD Ford Excursion.
By Truck master
April 15, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
Ford— found on road dead. Or, F** up rebuilt Dodge.
You need to get a Chevy!!!!
By Cindy
April 15, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
Chevy…there ya go…better yet…get a Corvette so you won’t even be able to tell what kind of Ford it is…since it will be a fading sight in the rear view mirror anyway.
By Katie
April 15, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
I was nice yesterday, I waited 5 seconds before honking at the lady reading a book in front of me to use her gas pedal after the light turned green.
When I see a man in a corvette, I say, ‘nice penis’. He obvioulsy has it due to some other difficiency. LOL
By Cindy
April 15, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this
That was nice of you Katie…who are these people reading books while driving? Grrr. I usually am too engrossed in a book to drive at the same time.
I dunno…he might just like Corvette’s…that’s what I do…just like Corvette’s…I think they’re cool…and fast.
By Gandalf, the Grey
April 15, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
I honk just to p** off nice people..
By Chance
April 15, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
I honk whenever someone is trying to get over and forces me to hit the brakes. Like the guy in the red Honda Accord in Cobb, turned his blinker on and the front of my car was even with his door, that’s when he decided to come over and that’s when I decide to honk. And then he slowed down to below the speed limit for the next mile until he finally turned off the road.
By Beth
April 15, 2008 7:03 PM | Link to this
I honk when people try and sneak in front of me with no blinker — at least give me the “please”/”thanks” wave, you know? Then I pass them in my little Mazda at the next opportunity.
I love Cobb county and all, but the drivers need to learn that the left lane is the PASSING lane, not the “let’s go the same speed as the guy in the right lane” lane. If you see a Mazda stradding the dotted line between the right and passing lane, that’s me, and it’s generally pretty effective. Generally the slowpoke in the left lane figures that maybe I’m a nutcase [I plead the fifth on this one] and they wisely move out of my way.
Oh, yeah, and I give the person at the traffic light a few seconds to go before I start honking, out of light-runner watchtime courtesy. If I hadn’t waited at a stoplight a few beats after it turned green, I would’ve been broadsided.
Incidentally, I was raised to never honk at anyone, to the point that when I actually NEEDED to use the horn, my reaction time was super slow from disuse of the thing! Mild to moderate horn use keeps you on your toes, I wager!
By Tweety
April 15, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
Yes…I am a honker but i am from Illinois where drivers ed is required for graduation…so we are taught to use signal lights, and we know how to use the middle lane as a turning lane and we know how to merge into traffic—-
Georgians don’t do this. And you all are so inconsiderate you cut people off, you don’t use the signal lights until you are already in front of the car that you just cut off and was already ahead of you in the first place!!!
Merging into traffic is a disaster because you all don’t know any other way except to stop in the lane, look, wave, and then attempt a merge—that is so wrong.
Not too mention you fall asleep at stop lights, read your book and/or newspapers at the stop lights, get out of the car to get the females phone number in the lane beside you or just plain old forget that Green means GO!!!
So yes I am a Georgia traffic HONKER and damn proud of it!!! (i have a bumper sticker that says so too)
By Tom
April 15, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
I’m in I-75 North-bound TRAFFIC keeping a good 4 to 5 car distance from the car in front of me; it’s not only safer but it keeps me from having to use the clutch so much. This guy behind me couldn’t stand it that I wasn’t as close as I could get to the next car and he kept on and on honking his horn —- yeah, I flipped him off, several times; he’s lucky I didn’t stop and drag his stupid a$$ out of the car and beat the $#iT out of him —- that was just very ignorant on his part and very disciplined on mine.
By Kimberlee
April 15, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
I honk at anything not moving in proper form. My honking manners are mostly attributed to the idiots that refuse to MERGE for incoming traffic from exit ramps! Its the law! My gracious how far do you expect to go on 285 before you let someone rightfully in. If its not your exit…get the heck over…or feel the wrath of my horn and finger! I recently moved to Charlotte and I am teaching them the ropes. Atlanta don’t feel neglected, as soon as I hit Jimmiy Carter I let her rip!
By Gander
April 15, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
I’m a canadian goose. I crap in your yard. And I honk all the time.
By Rob
April 15, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
I honk at the black folk mostly. Most of you don’t know how to drive. I see many speeding often and I am sure when they get pulled over they pull the, “I didn’t do it” thing or “you only pulled me over cause I am black” card. And what is that CRAP music you listen to?
By Ally
April 15, 2008 9:44 PM | Link to this
I honk at drivers who didn’t get in the line of traffic that started a mile before the exit on 400 - so instead they come to a complete stop in a lane of traffic that’s going 70 mph - waiting for someone to let them in. They should get in line like everyone else!
And to my fellow honkers, when we’re stopped at a red light with a red light camera on it - DON’T honk at me. I’m not going to try to beat the light and get a ticket just to make you happy.
By Brock
April 16, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
Much of the reason that drivers get honked at when the light turns green is that they don’t understand that the light change is predictable. Watch the cross street. When cars begin to stop, it’s a good indicator your light is about to go green(usually about 3-4 seconds). You can also watch the light for the cross street and see when it is changing, even though it is shrouded. If there is a left turn arrow, this does not quite work as well, but if you follow the sequence, you can get a close idea of when it’s your turn to go.
I do this and it is amazing how far out front I am of the car beside me before it gets going. It’s fun to make the other driver wonder if I’m psychic!
By Tim
April 16, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Truck master,
I just use the Ford Excursion to flatten Bedwetting Liberals. When I just plan on honking, I drive the Silverado 6.0L LTZ 4x4. It still makes the Liberals hate me, but I just don’t want to damage it on their POS Kia.
By Southern Born
April 16, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
You people are sick.
What would it cost for Gwinnett County to add Valium to the drinking water?
By Cindy
April 16, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
Gander, That was SOOO funny! I actually snorted because I didn’t know I was going to laugh until it was too late
By Tim
April 16, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
Just yesterday is a good example. I was tooling along at about 40mph in the Silverado with a full load of sod when a genius just pulled right into my lane doing about 10mph. I SLAMMED on the brakes and had nothing but Anti-Lock clicking to keep me from going right over top of that stupid bia. When I layed on the horn, she switched lanes again and looked over at me with a big grin like I was the crazy one. (Which I am, but that isn’t the point) She has no clue that about 1 second later on the brakes and she and her passenger would be flat. But, maybe that is what survival of the fittest is all about. Stupid people get squashed and don’t get to create baby stupid people.
By Brad
April 16, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
What can I say I am from Boston and just like to Honk. I live in Suwanee and nobody honks :-(
I honk sometimes out of the blue to get some reactions. Also I honk if I see a similar car like mine. Then sometimes I honk if I hear a good song on the radio.
Though I find myself honking out of safety if I come home really late from the office and deer/other random large animals find their ways onto Peachtree Industrial.
Finally, I honk if the Braves are doing good or bad and I hear this on 750am!
-Brad
By toots
April 18, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
Since I moved to Atl 14 years ago I base my car buying decision on the quality of the horn. I work in sales and drive all over Atl and I can testify that women, Senior’s, ANYBODY ON BUFORD HWY. Have NO clue as to how to drive. If you hear me coming by you just wave and be nice. I am teaching others the benefits of MOVING OUT OF MY WAY. I have found the horn to be a great motivator. Atlanta traffic SUCKS…The horn helps me deal with it. From early to late all I hear is Boortz and my horn…lol….have a great day!
By Sxzscorpia
April 18, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this
Stupid Drivers- honk at their azzes all day.
By RJ
April 18, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this
Mark, sounds like you’re trying to compensate for some “inadequacy”, shall we say?
Big man blows his horn, and keeps a gun by his side in case someone objects? You’ve got issues, dude.
By pat
April 18, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
I never honk because it is rude! I always try and remember I might have done the same thing the other driver did at one time and did not even know it. I guess I am not as perfect as all the honkers. If you love to honk go to India. It’s your kind of country!
By MoronsEverywhere
April 18, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
I ride with my “finger on the trigger” around here in Atlanta. I need to be ready for poor drivers. If people would use their mirrors, turn signals, and common sense, then we wouldn’t have to worry as much. People need to slow down as well. When you’re on the highway, there’s no need to try to squeeze between cars just to pass the slower faster car in front of you. Oh yeah, I honk at redlights. Don’t sit there through the green light. You have like 1 micro-second before I honk. Nothing makes me as mad as to see people digging in the console or purse or readiing at stop lights. Traffic is bad enough around Atlanta. I remember sitting at a stop light on Piedmont in front of BellSouth. A f’n moron in a Jaquar took out the paper and starting reading. The light turned green. He sat there, properly folded the paper, looked in his mirror at me, smiled, then slowly pulled away. The light turned yellow as he started to roll. I rode with my horn blaring for a while since he was going like 4mph. WTF? Why do so many people like to F with others. I hope that one day, they F with a person that’s trying to get to their home to rescue their injured child. Karma’s a b***.
By ditaylor
April 18, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Rob, you are so stupid!! Why honk your horn at just the Black People? Wow, you really are p** that the Black People are now driving nicer cars than you, poor thing, do you still bring your sandwich to work too? Instead of wondering what type of music they are listening too why don’t you venture out of that small boxed brain of yours and learn it too!! I am sure the Black People wouldn’t mind. However I SMELL AND HATER AND IT’S YOU ROB!!! FLAT AZZ!!!
By What are you doing?
April 18, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
1.People speed up to merge. 2.Dont brake hard when you’re 5 car lengths back in morning traffic. 3.Keep up w/the pace, don’t get in the fast lane and slow down. (Annoying) 4.If you’re getting a little old or your eye site isn’t what it used to be, don’t get in the fast lane please.
By DowntownDawg
April 18, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
I honk if you drive like a POS, and endanger other people.
Also, ditaylor- go get an education, and get off your high horse. You can stop capitalizing “black people”. They aren’t any more special than the rest of society that it’s needed.
Asian and black women are the worse drivers in Atlanta anyways.
By rmbr343
April 18, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
Juan… Quick! Put on your hood and sheet! You’re late for the rally!
Racebaiter… I love it! Horns that go “Ahem”! Too funny!
Everyone, just take a chill pill! Yes, I’ve used my horn, but only when I was in imminent danger. Ok, ok… so maybe I’ve used once or twice out of anger, but not too often. I’m afraid of getting shot!
By The Secretary
April 18, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
I try not to use it because people you never know which ones are the nutcases, but I had to use my horn twice just this morning because 2 people, right in a row, cut across the gore of their entrance ramp right in front of me. I thought maybe I was invisible or something, hence the honking. They both “paid me back” - one by doing the tap, tap, tap thing on his brakes unnecessarily and the other by waving like a dufus at me.
By L
April 18, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
I LOVE when I am at the DMV to renew my license and I see people who can’t speak English much less read English road signs receiving licenses. That makes me think the road are so SAFE!
By Blasian
April 18, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
I cannot believe the racism on this message board. I am a young black and asian woman who has never been in an accident or never had a moving violation and I am a damn good driver. I recently helped at an accident scene with one fatality which involved a group of white people and the driver was lo and behold a middle-aged white man. Downtown Dawg and Rob you better hope to God you never get into an accident and the one standing over you giving you CPR isn’t a sexy blasian like me.
By rayray
April 18, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this
Ahhh….This is the clinical definition of the matter.
THE PUNITIVE HONK- when one honks their horn in order to punish or reprimand, from the safety of their own car, the perceived driving error of another. First noted in the early 1900’s, the “punitive honk” or beep was developed and administered by drivers who, due to the lack of police, jury and judge on the road, took matters into their own hands. It should be noted that the statisical data shows that the honker has little or no long term lasting effect on the honkee or offender. It has been noted that 99% of all honkee’s or offenders tend to repeat most offences that cause a punitive honk and will usually find themselves honked at often. There is no good statistical data that shows how often a cronic honkee reprimands drivers who offend them and, thus, repeat the punitive honk cycle.
I like to honk just for the heck of it. I like to honk at houses that are placed next to a highway. Why? Because one has to be a moron to live next to a highway. I also like to honk at livestock near a highway. Why? Because it makes me feel so smart. Stupid cows.
By JR
April 18, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
I use my horn at stop lights for the inattentive that are performing in car house keeping, make-up application, eating, and/or using their cell phone, but mostly because it illegal to have and use car mounted rocket launchers.
By Gixxer B
April 18, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
It’s funny to listen to the majority of the drivers here talk about how they hate the drivers on Georgia roads, because the majority of those people are stupid. Think about it to yourself….Is it really always the other guy’s fault?
By DowntownDawg
April 18, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Don’t worry about me being in and accident and having some “blasian” giving me CPR. You might be one of thousands that don’t but that certainly tells a different story for a little asian woman in her beat up truck going 45 in the left lane on the connector this morning!! Not to mention, I drive a rather large, safe truck. The tires might be the only thing damaged in a collision with me, and thats if I don’t get my truck on top of you.
By RanneyLou
April 18, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
What makes me honk? Rude inconsiderate drivers. I was cut off at a fast food restaurant drive through the other morning by a lady and her daughter. She frightened me AND her daughter, and when I honked my horn at her, she gave ME the finger. I wish drivers would be more considerate.
By Southern Driver
April 18, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
When you complain about Atlanta area drivers, remember that 65% of them are from out of state and 15-20% are from out of the country. There are very few actual Georgians out there.
By Storm
April 18, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this
My daughter just got her license. I gave her the best piece of advice, and she shares it with her friends….
“Everyone on the road is an idiot, except you,since you know what you are doing”.
And I agree, Asians - male & female, and black women, 85% of the time you see someone doing something idiotic, check out the driver. Chances are SHE is black.
By Rhod Reige
April 20, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
I honk at people talking on the cell phone with no headset. The governor will sign a bill to save dogs but will not address an issue that saves human lives (talking on the phone while driving).. They could at least pass a bill requiring headsets…
By Wake Up!
April 20, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
So many left-turn arrows in Atlanta are VERY short timed, yet so many Atlanta drivers choose to do their sleeping at one! So I honk to wake them up!
By rick glover
April 20, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
if you really want to let people know they made you mad put a train horn under your hood. i did and a guy pulled out in front of me and i laid down on the horn and broke his back window out boy did it p** him off. justice served i think
By hrw
May 1, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this
This lay off is why every city needs and all of the residents of that city needs to support its Community/City Council. Being kepted out of grave decisions is just what people do when they have the authority over a group or someone else. Its a shame that 800 jobs are gone; or will be gone!
By Catriona
November 22, 2008 3:24 AM | Link to this
Road Rage…Its just horrible. I can honestly say, that everytime I am on the road I witness some form of road rage or another, and really I dont understand it. We are all on the road doing the same thing, we each have a destination and want to get there safely. But of course theres those drivers who just think they are more important, valuable, than all the other 2000 motorists using the same road. Its really just a careless act and one which clearly as mentioned above has the potential of seriously injuring another human.
It (honking) has been done to me plenty of times and it really is a scarey thing. Thats when motorists start to question their own driving abilities and nerves kick in, which means your driving skills are much more off the edge than if you were just driving along comfortably. for taking what the others driver thought was too long at roundabouts. I have noticed and been told by many experienced drivers who aren’t from Melbourne (Mary-Ann, Ian from my aspie group etc) that Melbourne drivers are the most agressive, rude and impatient drivers in the world and this has been my experience with the honking for taking a split second to check things are safe.
It is sad to think that road rage has now gone from a simple soft honk, to a constant hand on the horn, to then overtaking and flipping the bird whilst the head hangs out the window and filthy language explodes through the wind. I really think everyone just needs to be a little patient and understanding on the roads, after all its not a right, its a privilege.
in terms of the honking it does upset me as I am clearly inexperienced i have the plates to show it and simply being careful. I agree with what this person said. I have only once honked someone but there are plenty of other times I wanted to..
By Catriona
November 22, 2008 3:54 AM | Link to this
Road Rage…Its just horrible. I can honestly say, that everytime I am on the road I witness some form of road rage or another, and really I dont understand it. We are all on the road doing the same thing, we each have a destination and want to get there safely. But of course theres those drivers who just think they are more important, valuable, than all the other 2000 motorists using the same road. Its really just a careless act and one which clearly as mentioned above has the potential of seriously injuring another human.
It (honking) has been done to me plenty of times and it really is a scarey thing. Thats when motorists start to question their own driving abilities and nerves kick in, which means your driving skills are much more off the edge than if you were just driving along comfortably. for taking what the others driver thought was too long at roundabouts. I have noticed and been told by many experienced drivers who aren’t from Melbourne (Mary-Ann, Ian from my aspie group etc) that Melbourne drivers are the most agressive, rude and impatient drivers in the world and this has been my experience with the honking for taking a split second to check things are safe.
It is sad to think that road rage has now gone from a simple soft honk, to a constant hand on the horn, to then overtaking and flipping the bird whilst the head hangs out the window and filthy language explodes through the wind. I really think everyone just needs to be a little patient and understanding on the roads, after all its not a right, its a privilege.
in terms of the honking it does upset me as I am clearly inexperienced i have the plates to show it and simply being careful. I agree with what this person said. I have only once honked someone but there are plenty of other times I wanted to..
By Jinny
December 6, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
A horn is supposed to used as a warning — if you feel you are endangered. It is not to be used as a tool for punishment, or a tool for keeping everyone in order… per your order.
By Chris
February 13, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this
I hate people who flip out when someone honks at them over their stupid movements. A lot of folks in the Charlotte area don’t know a freaking thing about driving, for they’ll sit at a green light and chat away on their damn cell phones (or fudge around with makeup or some other petty stuff like that, or better yet, be half-asleep) and have the nerve to complain about someone honking the horn at them. People, if the highway were meant to be a parking lot, the NCDOT would’ve made it more that way instead of a passageway for moving traffic. Therefore, people need to get off of their cell phones (and other crap that they are doing while they’re supposed to be driving), save it for later, and pay more attention to the highway and other drivers around them. It will cut down on the number of accidents, as well as allow for people (who are more focused) to get to their destinations faster (not to mention keep the highways moving), for there are people who have places that they need to get to and don’t have time to sit behind morons who poke around and slow down (and put in danger) everyone else in the process.