Current Events > LOL after 13 years of driving, I finally get my first traffic ticket...

(+) Yeah! (+)

and it's for honking.

Apparently you're only allowed to honk when it is used to avoid a car accident, otherwise you're "disturbing the peace". Never mind the fact that the only reason I ever honked was because the guy in front of me wouldn't go on a protected left turn when it turned green. I gently tapped the the honk the first time to give him the heads up and he didn't move. So I did it again, gently, and he still didn't go. Finally I had to hit the honk hard enough where he finally turned (made a screech mark on the street lol). That's when the police officer (in a motorcycle) came up and told me to pull over and gave me the ticket.

So when I asked him what I was suppose to do when the driver in front of me doesn't move on a green, he said that I just have to drive around him. That's when I asked if I'm allowed to do that on a protected left turn lane, that's when I got a non-answer, "Don't tell me how to do my job sir!" (I'm guessing he must have misunderstood my question). So I accepted the ticket and is planning on going to court hoping he doesn't appear so I can get my ticket dismissed.

/blogfaqs end
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Fair, next.
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Sounds like B.S. on the cop's part. What state and how much is the fine?
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This can't be true. If it is, I'd definitely try and fight it.
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I mean, horn honking is pretty lame, but that's possibly the lamest reason for a ticket I've ever heard.
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i honk all the time cuz im an asshole
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Lightsasori posted...

So when I asked him what I was suppose to do when the driver in front of me doesn't move on a green, he said that I just have to drive around him. That's when I asked if I'm allowed to do that on a protected left turn lane, that's when I got a non-answer, "Don't tell me how to do my job sir!

well boys looks like we've got another dawkinsnumber in the making.

"Go around?" cop giving dangerous advice.
Sounds like BS if everything is true. That is what the horn is for.
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gatorsPENSbucs posted...

This can't be true. If it is, I'd definitely try and fight it.

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Well apparently the officer is right, I can get a ticket for honking apparently to this website here: https://ticketbusters.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/when-honking-your-horn-can-land-you-a-ticket/

What I'm trying to figure out is a scenario, like mines, where I honked at a person who didn't go when a protected left turn lane.

whitelytning posted...

Sounds like B.S. on the cop's part. What state and how much is the fine?

California and the fine is $200.13. My friend got fined for up to $350 for speeding over 15mph on the freeway. I guess California is expensive to get a traffic ticket or something.
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You should dispute it and just rely on sub (a) from that link if it is good law. Cars have horns for a reason, I would think the cop would have to prove you didn't have a reasonable reason to use it. Alerting the driver in front of you to turn seems like a reasonable reason to me.

I have heard of cities/towns with horn ordinances. That is probably another place to look.
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It would be reckless as fuck to move over one lane and pass a person in the turning lane. If you did that right as the person in front started paying attention and turned and you both got in an accident you would be found at fault. That cop has no god damn idea what he's talking about.
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Lightsasori posted...

Well apparently the officer is right, I can get a ticket for honking apparently to this website here: https://ticketbusters.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/when-honking-your-horn-can-land-you-a-ticket/

Well that's some bullshit. Most people probably aren't even aware this exists

whitelytning posted...

You should dispute it and just rely on sub (a) from that link if it is good law. Cars have horns for a reason, I would think the cop would have to prove you didn't have a reasonable reason to use it. Alerting the driver in front of you to turn seems like a reasonable reason to me.

I have heard of cities/towns with horn ordinances. That is probably another place to look.

Yeah I just got off with my friend who works at the police station, unfortunately I got the ticket outside of his district, but he said I can argue that obstructing traffic is a reasonable use of the horn. I just seriously hope the guy doesn't pop up in court to make this easier on my hand.
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I've had friends get tickets for honking cited for "aggressive driving" or "road rage" but it's always been from a single short <2s honk towards people either not driving at lights or fucking up. law seems heavily up the interpretation of the officer; I've been honking for 14 years and never had an issue *shrugs*
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Axiom posted...

Lightsasori posted...

Well apparently the officer is right, I can get a ticket for honking apparently to this website here: https://ticketbusters.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/when-honking-your-horn-can-land-you-a-ticket/

Well that's some bullshit. Most people probably aren't even aware this exists

pretty sure it's in the drivers manual.

TheBiggerWiggle posted...

It would be reckless as fuck to move over one lane and pass a person in the turning lane. If you did that right as the person in front started paying attention and turned and you both got in an accident you would be found at fault. That cop has no god damn idea what he's talking about.

This.
Also I was aware of the honking law, but have never ever seen it being enforced o.o
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The cop sounds like a GFAQs mod.
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Kineth posted...

The cop sounds like a GFAQs mod.

lmao true

The cop sounds like a dumbass.

Kineth posted...

The cop sounds like a GFAQs mod.

Also this

People who honk for any little thing are fucking obnoxious and assholes. Your honking is justified however
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How many points are going on your license lol. That's dumb as hell. I'd tell him to ticket the guy texting at a light.
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My driving instructor would get next to the wheel and honk whenever someone did something dumb and reckless in front of us.
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Kineth posted...

The cop sounds like a GFAQs mod.

lol

but you should definitely fight this. he'll probably be too embarrassed to show up
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