Honking when someone is lost (braking, lane, right turn, drivers)

[Yankees1212]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to hear your opinion on this. Today, I was driving behind someone who was going under the speed limit and they were randomly braking at intermittent times. Obviously, I knew they were lost or looking for the correct place to turn. I never tailgated them or honked, but at one point, they came to a complete stop with no indicator and there were cars BEHIND me so I finally did honk at this point. There is nothing wrong with this, correct? Also, I guess this depends on where you are from as "honking etiquette" probably differs from state to state. Please discuss!

[charlygal]

It's not that deep. As the lost driver, I would think the other drivers can go around me.

If I was one of the other drivers, I would wait patiently as I've been lost before. I understand what the lost driver is going through.

I rarely ever honk my horn. I'll get to where I'm going eventually. I'm not an impatient driver.

[jtur88]

I think they already knew they were lost, and bringing that to their attention would have no positive value.

If they had gotten out and walked back and asked you for directions, would you have felt equally put out by their taking up time in your busy day? How would you have expressed that to them?

[captne76]

Honking is slightly obnoxious also to nearby residents. I try to use it quite sparingly for things like real wake up calls or hazards. I would more often flash my lights since it makes no noise and hopefully the original driver is SMART enough to pull over and let people get by then they can take teir time to sort all out.

[rbohm]

i try to honk my horn as little as possible. there are times though it needs to happen to remind people that they are not the only people on the road, and that they need to pay attention to others as well as to what they are doing.

[Yankees1212]

I don't honk in this situation out of impatience. I honk because it's dangerous to come to a complete stop on a single lane road with no indication of what you're doing. People are so distracted these days and I don't want to increase my chance of getting rear-ended.

[Retriever]

Originally Posted by Yankees1212

I don't honk in this situation out of impatience. I honk because it's dangerous to come to a complete stop on a single lane road with no indication of what you're doing. People are so distracted these days and I don't want to increase my chance of getting rear-ended.

Exactly!
If somebody is lost, it really IS possible to turn onto a side street in order to reorient one's self, rather than stopping in a traffic lane on a road that has just one lane in each direction.

I have driven for the past 45 years without being involved in a traffic accident of any kind, and if anyone thinks that I will tolerate being stopped in a travel lane because somebody is confused about their whereabouts, then they are mistaken. I will most definitely sound my horn in order to get that person to move and to cease their dangerous and selfish driving style.

[unfocused]

I dont get why so many do this nowadays, I dont think it ever happened until about 12-15 years ago. I mean they just sometimes stop in the lane, or creep along at 5 MPH. I mean I have been lost I might drive a little slower but not like that. Sometimes I am patient. Often I go around them with horn blaring, as said above they are driving dangerously and you cannot predict what they are doing.

[puginabug]

If I'm lost and there is someone behind me, I will pull to the side with my right blinker on and let them pass.

Just because you're lost or are searching for the correct street to turn on doesn't mean you are the only person on the road. Be aware of your surroundings for gods sake.

[1973PINTO]

i got honked at today for making a right turn in a no right turn situation .. i let them know the were # 1 with me ...