The law requires that all roadgoing motorized vehicles come equipped with two essential safety tools – horns and headlight flashers. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to use them.
The idea of these two things is to prevent crashes. Unfortunately, people’s misuse of them can make a collision more likely. Here is why
People use them to express anger
Maybe the driver in the blue car prevented you from making your turn. Perhaps the driver in the red car should not have overtaken you. Whatever it is that upsets you, do not hit the horn or manically flash your lights to make your annoyance clear to them.
Rather than help your frustration pass, it could build it further, especially if the other person reacts in a way you don’t like, such as flipping the bird or ignoring you entirely.
What’s more, the driver could react aggressively. Perhaps they slam on their brakes in front of you, hit their throttle pedal or move across the lane to force you off the road.
So when should you use the horn or flasher?
Use them as a polite warning to avoid a collision. For example, if you see a pedestrian about to step into the road without looking or if a driver is drifting into your path or about to turn across you.
Staying safe on the road requires the cooperation of everyone. If someone does not fulfill their duty to drive safely, seek legal help to claim compensation for any injuries they cause you.
