USE OF THE HORN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19803, 19 May 1934, Page 10

USE OF THE HORN.

An appeal is made by the R.A.C. of South Africa to drivers of motorvehicles to show the greatest consideration in the use of motor horns. In the opinion of the club there still is a certain amount of unnecessary noise, although observation has shown that there is a marked diminution in the annoyance caused by thoughtless or impatient hooting. It should be possible to drive at almost all times so that a motor horn is not required save as a polite warning. In busy thoroughfares, in particular, drivers are urged to remember that a sudden loud blast, when a nervous pedestrian is crossing a road may have 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 the hours of darkness the headlamps of a car often are 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 the road is clear rather than to rely on a strident horn to warn other traffic to get out of the way.