# Wussy car horns -- unsafe? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 14, 2010, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458 "2010-03-14T17:51:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/21 "2010-03-16T03:51:18Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > [This](http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=0vwgOMgyk0E)is the horn you need to get people’s attention. That was the tune that played when the doorbell rang in the first house we ever owned (in Lexington, Kentucky). It was hell until I figured out how to reprogram the thing. I can’t remember what melody we had playing after that. Maybe “John Brown’s Body”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Knightrunner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7c8e57/32.png) [@Knightrunner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knightrunner)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/22 "2010-03-16T04:25:16Z")
Is horn use really that common or important? I feel that the safety value of horns is seriously over-rated. I’ve driven substantially in the U.S. and have never used my horn there. Nor have I seen much justified horn use from others in the U.S. or anywhere else. A horn should the last ditch “Ohmygodwe’reallgoingtodie!!” defense—if anyone is using it frequently in the U.S., they may want to re-evaluate their driving style. No driver should ever rely on sound. It’s perfectly legal in most places for deaf or hearing-impaired people to drive, and it’s pretty standard to drown out exterior noise with music, etc. Any horn that can get through all of that will startle (and anger) someone with good hearing – and may shock them into panicking and doing something unexpected. Also, overuse of horns quickly leads to desensitization. Take a trip through any city where horn use is ubiquitous (e.g. Delhi) and blow your horn as often and as loud as you like. You will be ignored. And your horn will be of absolutely no use in a real emergency. (I had a car once with a broken horn; the problem was only discovered at the annual safety inspection. I was forced to pay to repair the horn-- which was never used again.) ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/23 "2010-03-16T04:42:12Z")
> [@Knightrunner](#): > > Is horn use really that common or important? Vitally important if you have a siren horn like mine and are passing a golf course just as someone swings. Damn, I’m cruel;) ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/24 "2010-03-16T15:37:05Z")
In addition to the siren on my truck, I have triple air horns as well. If something bad is eminent, I want paint-peeling, pee-inducing LOUDNESS to make everyone for 50 yards think “WTH?” and start paying attention. If you’d like to take it down a notch, [these](http://www.wolo-mfg.com/air.htm)guys have several easy-intall items that will command attention. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/25 "2010-03-16T15:55:44Z")
There is a prevailing and increasing attitude in Calgary that the amount of rights you get on the road are proportional to the size of your vehicle (which I actually agree with, when you’re in a semi-truck or a train - otherwise, not so much). A little Corolla like mine is considered invisible by a whole lot of drivers around me - not only do I want a louder horn to let people who are just about to drive into me know that I’m there, I’d also like to rig out my car with reflective tape outlining it. ---
**Author:** ![thirdname](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@thirdname](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdname)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/26 "2010-03-16T16:47:43Z")
You need to get one of these: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi0rUX6gYVs&feature=related](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi0rUX6gYVs&feature=related) Or maybe one of these: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjR5K\_Fb6r4&feature=channel](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjR5K_Fb6r4&feature=channel) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSVgJsQU\_ac&feature=channel](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSVgJsQU_ac&feature=channel) ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/27 "2010-03-16T18:17:54Z")
> [@thirdname](#): > > You need to get one of these… Damn, I need one of _those_. Golfers will be hitting the 18th green from the first tee! ---
**Author:** ![icbm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/2acd7d/32.png) [@icbm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/icbm)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/28 "2010-03-17T05:10:06Z")
> [@Saintly\_Loser](#): > > A pair of Fiamm Freeway Blasters (one high, one low) will set you back about $35. I replaced my meepmeep horn on my Suzuki with a pair of these, they are a fantastic improvement without being over the top. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/29 "2010-03-17T13:29:09Z")
> [@Knightrunner](#): > > Is horn use really that common or important? I’m kind of wondering the same thing. I don’t think I’ve ever once in my life used my horn to avoid a collision and yet I’ve still never been in a collision. I honestly have no idea how loud the horn on my car is (though being a Civic I suspect it is a wimpier one). ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/30 "2010-03-17T13:56:16Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > I’m kind of wondering the same thing. I don’t think I’ve ever once in my life used my horn to avoid a collision and yet I’ve still never been in a collision. I honestly have no idea how loud the horn on my car is (though being a Civic I suspect it is a wimpier one). The usual use of the horn in the US is the audio equivalent of flipping someone the finger. Actual collision avoidance uses are probably only about 1/4 of the primary use. ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/31 "2010-03-17T15:00:18Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > I hardly ever feel like someone drives _more safely_ after I honk at them. 🙂 It actually happened to me today. While driving on the access road to work, a small SUV cut the corner entering the rotary (moved from left lane to right lane. 2 lane rotary) cutting me off. I have a bit of a beep (and I’m loath to use the horn), but he pulled over in the middle of the rotary (to the inside), let me pass, and waved a sheepish wave of apology. Usually, though, I agree with you. > [@Cheshire Human](#): > > The usual use of the horn in the US is the audio equivalent of flipping someone the finger. Actual collision avoidance uses are probably only about 1/4 of the primary use. When folks from our India team have come over, it’s made a point to them, that in the US, horn use is NOT acceptable unless it’s a real situation that requires the immediate attention of another driver. In fact, pretend it doesn’t exist until you arrive back in India. Apparently there, it’s used to say Hello, goodbye, turning left, turning right, stopping, speeding up, driving straight, and sometimes because it’s apparently just too damn quiet, or hasn’t been used in the past 3 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/32 "2010-03-17T16:03:56Z")
> [@filmyak](#): > > I don’t care if they drive more safely. I care that they hear me and don’t crash into me. > > My loud horn (previous car) absolutely prevented more than one person from changing lanes (sans blind spot check) and hitting me, while my meep-mobile has failed to prevent the same situation on one occasion, and has barely worked on others. Personally, when I’m in someone’s blind spot, I either speed up or slow down and get out of it. Sitting in someone’s blind spot is just asking for an accident. Since they started putting airbags in the steering wheel, the chance that I can even find the horn button in time to avoid an accident is pretty remote. Personally, I prefer a more discreet horn, that I can just beep for a second instead of a honk. A beep is handy when the light has changed in the turn lane and the person at the front of the line doesn’t notice for a couple of seconds. A lot of the traffic lights around here have sensors and will cycle if they don’t detect movement for a few seconds. A beep will get their attention without making them mad. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/33 "2010-03-17T17:41:01Z")
I was in a 1 ton van a couple of years ago stuck in traffic on a hill. The 18 wheeler in front of my starts to roll backwards. The driver could not hear the wussy horn and almost crushed the front end. It doesn’t need to be train-loud but it should be louder than a door-bell. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/34 "2010-03-17T17:43:24Z")
I was in a course with a former semi driver - he told us a story of a small car running into the back of his semi, then he dragged her for a block or so because her little _meep meep_ horn just sounded like traffic off in the distance or something. If I ever get stuck under a semi, I want them to KNOW it! ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2010, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458/35 "2010-03-17T22:07:59Z")
> [@Cheshire\_Human](#): > > The usual use of the horn in the US is the audio equivalent of flipping someone the finger. Depends on where you live, I suppose. Around here, a quick toot on a car horn usually means “howdy.” Actually, though, most of the time if I hear a car horn it’s somebody locking his car doors with a fob. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wussy-car-horns-unsafe/532458.md?page=1)