Is it appropriate to honk?

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

I drive DS to school in the morning and several times now, I've seen a group of teens (usually 3-4) who like to skateboard in the street.

I don't know if they don't know that cars are behind them and going around trying not to hit them or if they don't care. Probably the latter.

There are perfectly good sidewalks on either side of the road for them to use, so I don't get why they don't use them.

Is it appropriate to honk at them to encourage them to get out of the road?

 

[Mickeyistheman]

Yes, if they are on the street and the cars are busy and you need to get by you should honk the horn. I do feel thay they should be on the sidewalk.

Sometimes these kids are listening to their Ipods too and won't hear the cars. So yes I would rather Honk and have them be annoyed than getting hit by a car.

 

[Michelle67]

Heck yeah.

I predict, however, a rude hand gesture in reply.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[MM27]

This is a problem near the school I teach at too, but it's the high school boys that are walking home from school. They seem to think when they want to walk 5 and 6 of them across the road every car behind them should wait. They actually will turn and look at you and continue on their merry way. I wouldn't beep at them, for fear of being shot at A couple of times I've actually had them move aside, only to realize that one or more of my former students was in the crowd. At least they have respect for the people they know.

 

[basas]

Yes, I would blast them.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Isn't that what the horn is for?

This is coming from someone who rides in the car with a driver who has worn out her horn not once, but twice.

 

[MinnieMe87]

Heck yeah it is okay! Let em have it!

 

[Tinijocaro]

Gee- don't we all have nasty attitudes towards skateboarders? They aren't all rotten you know.

It's really tough to skateboard on a sidewalk. That's why they choose the road. They can't really hear cars coming very well-skateboards are pretty noisy when you are on one.

I usually give a friendly toot with a smile or a wave, don't get any attitude back.

True, they probably shouldn't be in the road if they can't hear. Same goes for all the kids playing street hockey. Same goes for kids on bicycles. They don't hear you until you are right on them.

Let's not make skateboarders out to be evil. They're just kids having fun.

 

[JR6ooo4]

you could give a friendly tap of the horn to let them know you are passing them.

Mikeeee

 

[HunnyPots]

Just because there is a sidewalk doesn't mean they are allowed to skate on it. We have a city ordinance forbidding skating on public sidewalks. That doesn't mean skating in the street is a good idea, just that sidewalks are not always an option. Just a little FYI...

 

[Cindy B]

Sidewalks are not good for skateboards. As other PP's have mentioned, there are some ordinances that forbid it. Other sports are also in the street. Around here, there are basketball, football, and street hockey kids as well-- and lets not forget kids on bikes. It does get loud when you skate-- the bearings/wheels can get pretty loud. Sometimes the kids are also listening to Ipods on top of that.. so it does get pretty noisy.

I have the same problem in my neighborhood. If I get near and the still don't hear, I do honk quickly and get them to disperse quickly. If you don't want to be that kind of person you can roll down the window and say something like coming through, etc.... (if your neighborhood isn't unsafe).

 

[Imzadi]

Yes, you should give a couple of friendly toots. For one thing, if a kid slides in front of your car and you do accidentally hit him, you may be asked in a court of law if you had used your horn to alert them and get them out of your way.

A couple of times I've actually had them move aside, only to realize that one or more of my former students was in the crowd. At least they have respect for the people they know.

That also means you are a great teacher that had a lasting impact, that they would still respect you later, when they are no longer worrying about being graded.

 

[golfgal]

Gee- don't we all have nasty attitudes towards skateboarders? They aren't all rotten you know.

It's really tough to skateboard on a sidewalk. That's why they choose the road. They can't really hear cars coming very well-skateboards are pretty noisy when you are on one.

I usually give a friendly toot with a smile or a wave, don't get any attitude back.

True, they probably shouldn't be in the road if they can't hear. Same goes for all the kids playing street hockey. Same goes for kids on bicycles. They don't hear you until you are right on them.

Let's not make skateboarders out to be evil. They're just kids having fun.

No one has a nasty attitude about skateboarder but they DON'T belong in the street, especially a busy street around school time, period. Frankly, honking at them will probably only make them slow down and won't accomplish anything. I would notify the police and just let them know that it is becoming a problem and let them deal with it.

 

[MushyMushy]

You should give a quick honk, but not a long blast.

 

[freckles and boo]

Unless you want to drive slowly behind a bunch of kids on skateboards, use your horn. A couple of friendly honks. Most of the kids here just scoot out of the way and then as soon as I have passed they move back into the street.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Alright..so it's about 50% for honking, 50% for NOT honking.

I think the next time I see them in the street, I will honk. Not a long blast, just a short tootle. I did see them this morning, but they were on the sidewalk and they were WALKING with skateboards in hand.

 

[ckay87]

Heck yeah.

I predict, however, a rude hand gesture in reply.

Really? Why? I would just LOOOOVE to hear why you would make that assumption.

I guarantee that if they'd be on the sidewalk, many would be complaining about that too. And the same group would be complaining if the same kids were sitting inside all the time playing video games.

 

[laurajetter]

you could give a friendly tap of the horn to let them know you are passing them.

Mikeeee

Slightly off topic, but have you ever noticed how car horns have different personalities to them? My husband and I joke how his car horn sounds mean no matter how short of a beep you try to make! Other ones just *sound* friendlier than others. I wish they had 2 horn options, a friendly, happy sound that would be for saying 'hi' to someone you know, politely telling people to watch out (as in this case), etc. and a jarring, mean sounding beep to really get your point across when needed!

 

[ckay87]

Slightly off topic, but have you ever noticed how car horns have different personalities to them? My husband and I joke how his car horn sounds mean no matter how short of a beep you try to make! Other ones just *sound* friendlier than others. I wish they had 2 horn options, a friendly, happy sound that would be for saying 'hi' to someone you know, politely telling people to watch out (as in this case), etc. and a jarring, mean sounding beep to really get your point across when needed!

We used to joke about that in college. I had a VW Rabbit and no matter how pissed I was, my horn sounded happy-go-lucky.

I like your idea of 2 horns, but I think a loudspeaker would work even better!