Beep – beep!

by Esmerelda Weatherwax (September 2010)

I took my daughter to visit some family graves one Sunday afternoon a few months ago. We drove from Walthamstow to Manor Park, then through Ilford. The junction of Ilford High Road, Romford Road and Ilford Lane under the A406 flyover was the busiest I had ever seen it. But despite the traffic moving steadily, albeit very slowly, every other driver was constantly tooting and bibbing his hooter.

There would be no point in demanding another law against improper use of the hooter as it already exists.

This is Section 112 of the Highway Code. Interestingly the government draftsman prefers the US usage.

The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn

while stationary on the road

when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am

except when another road user poses a danger

If the police have failed to enforce the law against using a mobile phone while driving they are not likely to have much success against aberrant honkers. I suppose the good thing is that it is impossible (I hope it is impossible) to bib the hooter and talk on a mobile phone at the same time.

I appreciate this might be dangerous to someone with a weak heart, but in that case the driver should be practising relaxation and not getting so worked up in the first place.

Alternatively I will fit my little Skoda with an anti-matter sten gun.

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