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Give Your Car Horn a Rest
Jeff Long, June 25, 2012 | Posted in Police Blog
Twice in the past week, I have listened to people laying on their car horns at the intersection that runs parallel to the police parking lot. Many of you have driven through here; it’s the intersection of Grange Road and Eden Avenue right by the Perkins. It’s an odd intersection in that it’s very wide. The timing at this intersection, for turning, may be thrown off because some cars pull up two abreast at the stop sign and turn in increments.
Regardless, as I listened to the extended horn honking it became very annoying and I was not even involved. Every single one of us has made an error while driving. There are no perfect drivers. If you think you are, well you are probably part of the horn brigade and part of the problem.
I wonder what makes drivers lay on the horn for such a lengthy period of time. Perhaps some people need to learn to deal with anger. Oh, and I always love the stare down from the honking driver — that’s always a classic.
I have been the one to make a mistake on the road, but I have also been the one who was “delayed” an extra 6.5 seconds by someone turning in front of me. I am not innocent; I have tapped the horn in irritation. But a funny thing has happened as I have aged. I found that I spent more time on the horn and being angry than the actual 6-second delay I had incurred as someone turned in front of me. You know what? It’s just not worth it. If we are running so late that one car turning before us is going to make or break our day, then it seems like poor planning is the problem. Maybe we should honk at ourselves.
We all make mistakes. Why is it that we want to punish and embarrass others by laying on the horn and staring them down? What really amuses me is when someone about my height (and I’m short!) is sitting in their big SUV honking the horn and staring down someone in a compact car. For some reason, certain people think they are larger than life in their big cars … and yes, I drive a big car, so I am not picking on SUV drivers. But, you know what? If you irritate the other person enough, you may end up with more than you bargain for. Not everyone takes kindly to getting honked at and mocked. There are people out there who have very short tempers. If you think road rage means that you are allowed to get mad at someone and honk, think again. Road rage means that, it’s RAGE. People get beat up, shot and killed over driving disputes. If you don’t believe me, then Google these words: “road rage shooting Minnesota.” Here are some of the headlines you will see if you do research those words:
1) Driver reports road rage-like shooting on Hwy. 61 (Minneapolis StarTribune, 12-28-11)
2) Gunshots Fired In Moorhead Road Rage Incident (http://minnesota.cbslocal.com, 4-28-11 )
3) Woman run over in Maplewood road rage incident (http://kare11.com, 5-23-10)
Leaning on the horn triggers a lot of emotion from people. And sitting in your big SUV will not protect you.
Minnesota State Statute 169.68 addresses when a horn may be used, it is as follows: The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with the horn, but shall not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway.
It seems to me that if you only lost your spot in line to turn, there is no concern of “safe operation.” There is nothing in statute that says horns are to be used in “anger” or to “really show someone who is boss.”
Can we somehow get away from being so angry? Next time you are delayed by 6 or 7 seconds, think before you lay on the horn and glare at another driver. Is it worth the half hour of anger it just caused you? Is it worth getting assaulted over? Is it really worth death?
I challenge you to think before you honk. I know most of you will ignore my message, but I also know that most of you will be nodding your head in agreement as you read this. Give your horn a rest.
4 Responses to Give Your Car Horn a Rest
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The City of Edina
4801 W. 50th St., Edina, MN 55424
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I honked today, not out of anger, but hopefully alert a driver that she was swerving in and out of the clearly marked bike lane on 70th. Then I saw another drive violate the lane, then another, to which I concluded that residents of Edina need a refresher course, or in some cases, a first lesson on bike lanes. Someone is going to get killed, likely a child. I would advocate that cops to a little courtesy pulling over of drivers who meander into bike lanes to make them realize what it is for – not for their vehicles.
Kris,
Thank you for your comments! I agree, education will continue to be very important as we add bike lanes in our community. I will pass along your comments to our patrol officers. Thank you again.
Chief Jeff Long
At this intersection, it’s not about taking turns. The honkers expect drivers to stop at stop signs. Can you see what is happening as you’re listening from the building? My experience with this intersection is the amazing number of drivers who do not even stop, right next to the police station! Safe drivers may honk MORE here – they might be trying to alert the cops. Meanwhile the cops inside imagine the honkers want “their” turn or and think the statute doesn’t permit honking since they attribute it to impatience about six second delays. Not my experience at Eden & Grange. I expect drivers to stop at stop signs and when they go right through without stopping, you bet I’ll honk at them, and I wish the police would ticket them, because it is unsafe and an obvious violation.
Susan,
Thank you for your comments. It is unfortunate that some people intentionally run stop signs, including this one. Traffic enforcement is a top priority of department and we have issued plenty of citations at this stop sign.
We are very familiar with the intersection as our marked, and unmarked cars, proceed through there many times every day. I personally drive through this intersection roughly four times a day, five days a week and have for the last 26 years.
Although I agree with your assessment that some horns are due to running a stop sign, my experience has been the horn caused triggered by the impatience of drivers.
I still urge caution with the horn. Whether it is right or wrong, the horn tends to enrage certain people. Driving behavior in general seems to enrage people. Case in point, the shooting that occurred in Isanti last week over a car getting passed on the highway. I still contend that many times the horn is not worth it unless it is for an immediate safety concern. However, that’s just my opinion. Thank you again for the comments. I hope you continue to read and comment on other posts!