Rhode Island may ban ‘aggressive honking.’ Should Mass. follow suit?
The proposed law would outlaw unnecessary honking that produces "an unreasonably loud or harsh sound.”
Ever a pioneer in progressive road safety enforcement — it was the first state, after all, to impose a jail sentence for speeding in an automobile, back in 1904 — Rhode Island is at it again. This time, the Ocean State’s target is a time-honored tradition well known to drivers throughout these parts: laying on the horn.
According to the Providence Journal, an omnibus bike and traffic safety bill under consideration by the R.I. House Judiciary committee would, among other things, attempt to put the kibosh on any unnecessary honking — i.e. any honking that produces “an unreasonably loud or harsh sound.”
Yes, we know what you’re thinking — isn’t that the entire point of honking? But unlike the advanced transportation minds in the Rhode Island legislature, you are failing to see the big picture.
After all, you would still be allowed to honk to warn of oncoming hazards, such as out-of-control tractor trailers, your own vehicle should the other driver drift into your lane, or, say, meteors. But you wouldn’t have to worry about hearing the frightening blare that tends to emanate from behind your car if you take more than half a second to hit the accelerator after the light turns green.
Still, the proposal has left some concerned, including the American Civil Liberties Union, which has argued in court — successfully! — that honking is a form of constitutionally protected speech. They were referring mostly to instances where honking could be interpreted as a political statement, such as when you honk to support a protest or picket line. But to protect that, you also have to protect the right to honk when somebody drives like a &%$@! (To use the local parlance.)
What do you think? Should Massachusetts outlaw errant beeps? And what other annoying driver habits should be under the microscope? Answer the Boston.com survey below and we may include your response in a future article.
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