Turns out Boston.com readers love to honk — but still find plenty of other road habits annoying
Plus, what's really annoying Mass. drivers.
Well, color us surprised. You may recall that we asked Boston.com readers last week if Massachusetts should follow Rhode Island’s lead and try to criminalize “aggressive honking” on our already-too-aggressive roadways. But as several of our sharper readers pointed out, technically the Bay State already disallows drivers from making “unreasonable noise,” as noted in MGL Chapter 90, Section 16.
That’s a little different than Rhode Island’s attempt to eliminate everything but “honking to warn,” according to the Providence Journal, but it’s something — although you can be forgiven for being unaware, given the constant blaring that surrounds us on the daily, seemingly without consequence.
But even if eliminating all but the most delicate toots was something the state was interested in enforcing, Boston.com readers say it shouldn’t – of the almost 450 who responded, 65% said aggressive honking is essential to the way we drive here, with only 21% looking to clear the streets of horn-happy honkers.
As for those who answered “Other,” most of them want to see (and hear) even more honking: Jes from Warwick, R.I. noted that “horns should be used more often. They are great for getting people’s attention,” while Josh from Chelsea opined that “horns need to be louder and contain projectiles to flag [the drivers] who shouldn’t be on the road.”
But most who responded saw honking as, at most, a minor annoyance. “Honking can be annoying, but it isn’t a major hazard,” wrote Brendan from Lynn. “It is also a huge gray area. I just don’t see how a cop decides the line is being crossed.”
And as for creating a new law to address it, “That’s a laugh!” wrote Eric from Needham. “We already have enough laws that nobody obeys.”
Deborah, also of Needham, had a more innovative suggestion: “We need a way to communicate with other drivers,” she wrote. “Car manufacturers should install a secondary alert system for use in non-emergencies … Until we have another mode to communicate, the horn is all we’ve got.” (We personally like Jerry Seinfeld’s suggestion that license plates should be the driver’s cell phone number, so you can call and yell at them.)
What’s really annoying Mass. drivers
Meanwhile, plenty of Boston.com readers had a whole list of non-honking-related driver habits they’d get rid of if they could snap their fingers, Thanos-like, and eliminate them from our roadways. Below are some of the driving behaviors readers would get rid of if they ruled the world.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
“Going less than 75 [mph] in the third or fourth lanes.” — Tom, Dedham
“Stopping and/or slowing down on acceleration ramps onto highways.” — Stan, Londonderry
“Switching lanes without a blinker, or using a blinker after already entering the lane.” — Bob, Holbrook
“The drivers who barge into the line on the Rte. 3 on ramp from Middlesex Turnpike. It can be a hair-raising experience to merge onto the ramp and then merge off onto Rte. 128 (a.k.a. Rte 95). There aughta be a law!” — A, Lexington
On the roads:
“Driving below the speed limit. Not pulling up to the stop line at a red light or stop sign.” — Thomas, Pembroke
“People who do not get over far enough when they turn, absolutely makes me cringe!” — James, South Weymouth
“As a Rhode Island driver I would ban Connecticut drivers.” — Chrissy, Rhode Island
“Lack of lane discipline; not staying right except to pass; not obeying left lane for passing only; not clearing snow from car before driving.”
“No riding someone’s bumper — there should be a distance limit between vehicles, would decrease overly aggressive drivers pissing off the person in front of them.” — Jdog, Salem
“Drivers that are 100% at fault at causing accidents should be banned from driving for a couple of years.” — Boston
“When the [driver] in front of me at a red light is on his phone. The light turns green and he’s still looking down at his phone. Now suddenly, I am on HIS time? Sorry, but my horn is on LOUD mode in that case, new law be damned.” — Tom, Wrentham
“‘Random acts of kindness,’ such as when a driver with the right of way slams on their brakes unexpectedly in order to unnecessarily wave someone out of a side street, just to make themselves feel noble. There are rare, extreme, traffic circumstances where this is needed, and therefore forgivable, but not many.” — L.J., Forestdale (Sandwich)
“Flipping the bird at other drivers.” — Peter, Sudbury
“Putting on makeup.” — Peter, Woburn
“Excessive speeding — a large majority of people are now driving 30+ mph over the posted speed limit and it has become quite dangerous out there (I should know — I drive 100 miles per day). Also, distracted driving — I cannot tell you how many people have their heads down while driving, including in the ‘high speed’ lane. Scary stuff!” — B., Rhode Island
“Where to begin? I’d start with banning engine revving (is that ever necessary?), followed by driving too slow, not turning right on red when it’s allowed, double-parking, rotaries (all of them since no one seems to understand how they work), eating while driving, shirtless driving, last-minute lane changes, loose animals in the car, and all distracted driving. It’s a jungle out there.” — Megan
“Drivers who constantly turn their heads and stare at the passenger in the front seat next to them as they are conversing, rather than watching the road. Drives me freakin’ nuts!!! And now you want to tell me I can’t honk my horn at them?” — Sully, Revere
“Gosh, I would be happy if folks went back to actually stopping for stop signs and red lights.” — Kendra, Boston
“Imagine if every single traffic violation were enforced for a full year. People might actually follow the laws on the road. And if there are infractions that shouldn’t be enforced, we should strike them from our books … It would be a radically different driving experience.” — Ross, Newton
“Flying up behind someone going 80+ [mph] in the first two lanes … They need satellites or towers to track super speeders.” — Rob, Newbury
Meanwhile, someone should check on Agatha of Billerica, who said if it were up to them, they would eliminate:
- Driving the speed limit or below
- Using a turn signal
- Using a blinker
- Staying in your lane
- Stopping at a stop sign
- Stopping at a red light
- Lack of road rage
- Lack of cursing
Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.
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