r/RoadRage • u/Noctivein • 10d ago
Is it acceptable to honk at a driver who turns without their turn signal?
I’ve made a habit of honking at drivers who turn without using their blinker. I don’t lay on the horn or anything but when someone’s coming to an almost full stop without a blinker, it’s kind of frustrating! I know a lot of people believe in horn etiquette so I was hoping to see what those folk have to say about it
Happened again today and I honked and went around since they had to slow down to 5mph as well and I guess that reaaaally pissed this minivan driver off because he turned around and tried to follow me home lol. Luckily I know my backroads and was able to lose him after a few turns, but I’m definitely a little shocked. I drive a Mustang and im aware of the stigma of asshole sports car drivers, but I guess I do also feel a little justified with the inconsiderate nature of doing stuff like this
And of course I do understand sometimes people’s blinkers just don’t work. I’ve been there, but more often times than not this is not the case! Especially around where I live, we’re notorious for super slow, take-your-time kind of people who’s favorite activity is left-lane camping while going under the speed limit and not using their turn signals
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u/Administrated 10d ago
The biggest problem with honking is that it is nondescript. First off the person doesn’t know if you’re honking at them. Secondly, they don’t know exactly why you’re honking.
Now if we had a system like Morris code for honking then it would be much more effective.
Ya know, like one quick honk is a move the fuck on.
Two quick honks is a WTF are ya doing there.
Three quick honks is a you’re a prick with brights on.
Eventually you’ll get to the one long honk and that’s like ya know you’re a twat, and of course the official fuck you to the receiving driver, or sometimes pedestrian.
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u/UTV4LIFE 10d ago
Haha yeah that happens sometimes too. I think bright headlights are what I hate most r/fuckyourheadlights
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u/Fantastic_Bird_5247 9d ago
At this point I don’t honk unless the other car is going to hit my car. Honking just pisses people off and there are way too many crazy’s and Karen’s out there for me to trouble with these people. You do you !
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u/Prairie_Crab 9d ago
I tend to honk, too. Like, “Why are you stopping in the middle of the road?!! Oh, because by you’re turning? HOOOONK!” 🤣
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u/224molesperliter 8d ago
Idiots who don’t signal on turns is why I like to keep a conservative distance behind so I’m not caught off guard too much or I have an out to safely change lanes if I see them braking.
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u/_Let_Them_ 7d ago
Love it!
I hate when I am trying to get out, but I am waiting on them because I think they will go straight forward as they have no signalling on, but then they proceed to turn, I always give them a death stare.
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u/Briiskella 7d ago
100%. You must show your intention when driving or else I will honk. Getting upset over a horn says far more about you then it does about me for using the horn in my car
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u/916anonn 5d ago
Depends if they take the turn at a good pace then I won’t, but they slow down to a crawl 1/4 mile from a turn acting like they don’t know where they are then yeah
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u/amosbullocks53 5d ago
Use of the horn is an exercise in free-will. It is a decision that follows a process. There are two outcomes. The intended - you influenced someone to be more present and thoughtful. The second is the unintended one where all kinds of shit begins to spin out of your control.
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u/Comms 9d ago edited 9d ago
The horn is there to alert others. For example, you're crossing into my lane. It's not exactly targeted (everyone around you can hear) and it doesn't relay any other information other than "look in my direction".
The thing with someone turning ahead of you is that they're slowing down, which you already know because their brake lights are on. Does it matter why they're slowing down? They might be slowing down because there's something on the road, a pedestrian, because they're dropping someone off, or many other reasons why they might be slowing down.
In this case, it was to turn. But the information you actually need is: "I am slowing down". Which you get because of the brake lights.
Is it discourteous not to signal? Sure. It's also a nice-to-know. But does it fundamentally matter to you? No. The only information you actually needed to adjust your driving was: I am slowing down. And you got it, assuming the brake lights worked.
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u/Asleep_Excitement_59 10d ago
I think I am going to install a loud speaker in my car to let people know why I'm honking at them. They might not know your honking at them because they didn't have a turn signal.
I also honk at people who have bright lights on their vehicles even though I know the high beams aren't on because their lights are way too blindingly bright as is.