DPPD's wisdom Thursday. Honk if you...
According to the Texas Transportation Code 547.501, all motor vehicles need to be equipped with a horn, in good working condition. The horn needs to emit a sound, audible under normal conditions, at a distance of at least 200 ft. However, the horn cannot be a siren, whistle, or bell unless it’s an authorized vehicle (i.e. police vehicles, fire trucks, ambulance, etc.), and it cannot emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or whistle.
Did you know that you should only honk to warn, others on the road, of an imminent danger? Here are a few examples:
- If a vehicle is backing out of a driveway, and you’re traveling on the roadway having the right-of-way, you may honk your horn to alert the other driver to avoid a collision.
- If you’re stopped behind a vehicle, at a red light, the light turns green, and the driver in front of you doesn’t go in a reasonable time, you may honk your horn to alert the other driver to pay attention.
- If you’re traveling in your lane, a vehicle is trying to merge into your lane, without having enough clearance, you may honk your horn to alert the other driver to check their blind spots.
You may not honk at someone if they’re driving slower than you think is acceptable (like on Center St. #40Not30). Remember, the horn is there as a warning device, and not to be used to release your frustration in traffic.
Note: the length of the honk will determine how the others perceive your warning.
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