Honk twice if you love me
I will often speak with my kids about the need to talk things over with either me or their mom whenever they have issues. We try to keep open communication within our home. We also talk to them about what other people say and that it’s not always true. Just because someone says something to them, it shouldn’t necessarily affect what they do. Driving is very similar to this. Are you ever influenced by someone else’s honking?
I was walking to my office the other morning when I heard repeated honking from a driver. They were sitting in the right lane, second in line, waiting to make a right turn at a protected right turn signal. The light was red for them, but green for those going straight. A straight green arrow showed this to everyone. There was also a sign that said a right turn on a red light was prohibited. That didn’t stop this driver from honking profusely at the lead driver.
The lead driver just sat there, as they should, ignoring the driver behind them. I had a chance to look inside the lead vehicle while I was waiting to cross the street and noticed the driver and their passenger were smiling at what was happening. They obviously weren’t influenced by the other driver’s obnoxious honking. It was obvious to me that the lead driver was a rule follower and made their own decisions based on logic and responsibility, without being influenced by someone else.
That didn’t stop the honking driver; they pulled out around that driver and went in front of them; partially in the crosswalk and then stopped. A second or two later the green arrow came on so the driver could finally make their right turn, but they didn’t go; they sat there. The third vehicle behind honked and the obnoxious driver suddenly hit the gas and drove off in a panic. How ironic was that? They were in such a hurry to go, but didn’t and then they got honked at.
I’ve often said to my students that I’m training atYoung Driversof Canada, just because the driver behind honks at you, it doesn’t always mean that you should proceed. If a collision happens because you went when they honked, they aren’t responsible; you made the ultimate choice of proceeding.
Avoid jumping to conclusions just because someone honked at you. Assess the situation and make rational choices. It’s the responsible thing to do while driving; or while sitting at a red light.