To beep or not to beep
You’ve probably beeped your horn to greet someone or say goodbye, but you should think twice next time. You could be breaking the law.
According to the Australian Road Rules, beeping your horn in the incorrect situation might be considered using a safety device in an unlawful way. As a result, you could receive a $221 fine and $102 Victims of Crime Levy.
Here are a few scenarios outlining when you can and can’t honk your car horn.
When alerting another road user of your position
You’re sitting in traffic, waiting for the lights to change when suddenly a car starts rolling backwards towards your vehicle. You want to warn driver that they may hit you if they don’t brake, so you beep. They brake just in time, narrowly avoiding a crash.
In this scenario it’s acceptable to use your horn as you’re alerting them that they’re in danger of causing a crash.
When trying to get another motorist to drive faster
It might be annoying when a person is driving 20km/h below the speed limit in the right lane, but that doesn’t mean you can bang your hand against the horn and beep them angrily.
Not only can you receive a fine for beeping the slower driver, you may also distract the other motorist and cause a crash.
When picking up a friend
You’re picking up a friend and beep your horn to let them know you’re out front. This is a no-no, and you could receive a fine for using a car safety device incorrectly.
Instead, park your vehicle, stretch your legs and knock on the door to let your friend know you’ve arrived. It’s more polite anyway.
When saying goodbye
It’s 10pm and you’re leaving your friend’s house after a lovely dinner. As you turn the corner, you give a quick beep to say a final goodbye.
This is frowned upon as you’re not using your horn as a warning device and if caught, you could be fined. Plus, think about surrounding neighbours who may be shift workers, or have children trying to sleep.
When an animal is on the road
By law, motorists can toot their horn to warn an animal on the road of their presence.
RAA Senior Manager of Road Safety Charles Mountain says that if you see an animal on the road, you need to slow down.
“Sound the horn and flash your lights instead of attempting to swerve around the animal,” Charles says. “However, if you’re driving past people riding horses, refrain from beeping your horn. This could frighten the horse and cause the rider to lose control.”
When you’re frustrated with another motorist
Someone cuts into the lane you’re in and despite them not breaking the law or causing an accident, it makes you angry. You thump your hand on the horn, letting out a long beep and a few choice words. This is a definite no-no and could lead to a road rage incident.
While this situation might be frustrating, Charles says we need to realise that there are other people on the road.
“We need to share the road, be patient and obey the road rules to ensure we all make it to our destination safely,” he says.
When alerting pedestrians or other road users as you reverse
If you’re exiting a driveway or garage and there are trees or other obstacles obstructing your view, cautiously drive out and beep your horn a couple of times.
This will help alert other road users, particularly pedestrians or cyclists using the footpath, and remember to stop and give way to them.
When another motorist hasn’t noticed the traffic lights have turned green
We’ve all experienced the frustration of a traffic light turning green and the car in front not moving, because the motorist ahead is daydreaming, texting or pampering themselves in the rear-view mirror.
A gentle, quick beep is okay to let the driver know the light is green, but don’t go holding down the horn for an extended period.
Do you have a road rules question?
RAA’s road rules experts can help. Send us an email or speak to the Road Rules Information Service on 8202 4570.