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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think if you’re sounding the horn all the time you’re the one with the problem?!

37 replies

cadburyegg · 04/05/2025 19:38

Whilst driving home today there was a queue at a junction. We were all turning right and there was lots of traffic travelling fast in both directions, so it took awhile to pull out. I was about third in line when the driver of the car behind me started sounding their horn. Carried on doing this with each car in front. It got to my turn and sure enough after a minute or so the driver started up again. There really hadn’t been any chance for me to go! I looked in my rearview mirror and they (and their passenger) were gesticulating rudely.

i see so many impatient drivers but AIBU to think if you’re beeping your horn at everyone then maybe you’re the one with the issue and you need to be more patient?! I don’t understand this complete lack of self awareness. I can’t remember the last time I used my horn!

OP posts:
ShockedandStunnedRepeatedly · 04/05/2025 20:25

GotToWearShades · 04/05/2025 19:57

Also cyclists who can't share a path without dinging their bells at pedestrians. I'm both a cyclist and a pedestrian and don't ding my bell at people

See this I don’t get. How am I supposed to alert them to my presence then?!

Itsjustgonenoonhalfpastmonsoon · 04/05/2025 20:22

I’ve had my car for 12 years and I don’t think I’ve ever used the horn. The same for my previous cars. Bleeping horns may be the soundtrack of NYC but it’s damn infuriating elsewhere. Rarely are they used for the purpose they’re meant for.

faerietales · 04/05/2025 20:15

GotToWearShades · 04/05/2025 19:57

Also cyclists who can't share a path without dinging their bells at pedestrians. I'm both a cyclist and a pedestrian and don't ding my bell at people

That's just good manners, isn't it? Confused

Mumteedum · 04/05/2025 20:06

I sound mine fairly often but I live near a dangerous mini roundabout and I'm doing it before the asshats from my left plough into me becoming they don't look!

Seeingadistance · 04/05/2025 20:06

Flipflop93 · 04/05/2025 20:02

I don't think thats rude. Cyclists should sound their bell to let people know they are there. It doesn't mean get out of the way. Or that wasn't my understanding.

I appreciate the warning that a cyclist is coming up behind me, and thank those that ring their bell.

Or do you mean those that ring their bell when you are able to see them?

Brefugee · 04/05/2025 20:04

Flipflop93 · 04/05/2025 20:02

I don't think thats rude. Cyclists should sound their bell to let people know they are there. It doesn't mean get out of the way. Or that wasn't my understanding.

agree, if a cyclist is coming up behind someone (shared path, or they are walking on the cycle path) it is important to let them know you're coming up behind them.

Motherknowsrest · 04/05/2025 20:03

Yanbu. I hardly ever beep my horn, probably a handful of times in my life. I think it's usually just when someone is about to do some daft reversing in a car park.

Flipflop93 · 04/05/2025 20:02

GotToWearShades · 04/05/2025 19:57

Also cyclists who can't share a path without dinging their bells at pedestrians. I'm both a cyclist and a pedestrian and don't ding my bell at people

I don't think thats rude. Cyclists should sound their bell to let people know they are there. It doesn't mean get out of the way. Or that wasn't my understanding.

GotToWearShades · 04/05/2025 19:57

Also cyclists who can't share a path without dinging their bells at pedestrians. I'm both a cyclist and a pedestrian and don't ding my bell at people

Brefugee · 04/05/2025 19:54

yeah, i tend to "stall" on those occasions and miss 2 opportunities to go. Just because.

Badbadbunny · 04/05/2025 19:53

Yup, it's just mindless bullying. I've been driving 43 years and probably sounded my horn less than a handful of times, always as a warning of "I'm here" as per the Highway Code rather than in an aggressive manner. Once or twice another driver has sounded their horn at me for a genuine reason, i.e. not noticing the traffic lights had changed. Luckily, I've only had relatively few bullies using their horn in an aggressive/bullying manner, but I just ignore them.

feelingbleh · 04/05/2025 19:42

Yanbu I could count on one hand the amount of times iv beeped my horn in 15 years of driving. It's there to warn other drivers of dangers not because your inpatient as it doesn't help it just stresses people out and a way of drivers to bully other road users.