USE OF THE HORN

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 111, 12 May 1934, Page 17

USE OF THE HORN

An appeal is made by the E.A.C. of South Africa to drivers of motorvehicles to show the greatest consideration in the uso of motor horns. In the opinion of the club there still is a certain amount of unnecessary noise, although observation has shown that thero is a marked diminution in tho annoyaneo caused by thoughtless or impatient hooting.

It should bo possible to drive at almost all times so that a motor horn is not required savo as a polite warning. In busj thoroughfares, in particular, drivers aro urged to remember that a sudden loud blast, when a nervous pedestrian is crossing a road, may havo an exactly opposite effect to that intended, and instead of indicating that a vehicle is approaching may cause hesitation or faltering, with possibly harmful consequences. ;

Considerable forbearance should be shown at night time. It is not always appreciated by motorists that during tho hours of darkness the headlamps of a car often aro the best possible warning at cross-roads, while in populous districts where there are important crossings it is obviously safer to slacken speed and ascertain that tho road is clear rather than to rely on a strident horn to warn other traffic to get- out of the way.

It is_ reported that French inventors havo perfected a device to give Ibfrydrivcrs warning when a ear desires to pass. It consists of a microphone connected with au amplifier, the microphone being attached to tho rear of the lorry and the amplifier installed in tho cab. The sound of the horn from tho ear behind is picked up and reproduced in the cab.