Do you believe this

[dyna]

I think this is the most absurd ticket I have ever seen. I was behind someone one night about 12:30 at night. The light turned green and I waited about 10 seconds and he didn't move so I blew the horn at him. A cruiser was parked across the street, then I saw the blue lights, I thought what did I do wrong, I know I wasn't speeding, he said I'm pulling you over for blowing your horn past midnight. I said yeah and?? he said well thats considered harsh noise pollution. I said well isn't that what the horns for, he said well it's past midnight, you cant blow your horn past midnight. Well enough of that he gave me 100 dollar fine for harsh noise. Imagine that, let me have your thoughts on this one. Im not kidding one bit.
Shane

[93rollaracer]

Sounds like you got a douche bag cop. Take it to court and explain it to the judge, and he'll probably let you off.

[greasyhog]

I would think if you told the judge this that you will be let off. Its not like you were using your horn to annoy people. this cop should be suspened for being a duoche bag.

[dyna]

I did try to fight it and brought it to the judge, he said the officer was right. You made harsh noise after midnight. I guess it's a law where I live.

Shane

[streetrcr45]

wow..thats crap. i'm now officially pissed just like you

[YukiHime]

Go find out where the cop lives and blow at his house at the same time...every night...

[shawnwilliams]

Originally Posted by dyna

I did try to fight it and brought it to the judge, he said the officer was right. You made harsh noise after midnight. I guess it's a law where I live.

Shane

Dumbest thing ive heard, what if the guy fell asleep or something. And man that's gotta suck for ya. In manitoba if you take your claim to court and its under 200 they just rip it up. It costs to much for court costs and to take the officer from work for the day.

[CraigFL]

As long as you didn't make it a big deal with your horn you should be able to get it dismissed. Now if you laid on the horn for more than a couple of seconds, you may have some difficulty-- it will then sound like anger/road rage instead of a friendly tap to get someone moving..

[dyna]

Originally Posted by CraigFL

As long as you didn't make it a big deal with your horn you should be able to get it dismissed. Now if you laid on the horn for more than a couple of seconds, you may have some difficulty-- it will then sound like anger/road rage instead of a friendly tap to get someone moving..

Actually it was a quick tap of the horn. The bottom line was the cop said you can't beep your horn past midnight. I've heard of some crazy things but nothing like that before.

[drunken monkey]

look.
it doesn't matter if it's a tiny beep or a full on honk, if using the horn after midnight is an offence then the officer has a right to uphold it.
sure he can turn a blind eye but in anycase, you have no right to complain when he does his job properly.

anyway,
isn't it explained clearly in your highway code the circumstances under which things like use of horn, flashing headlights and hazrd lights are legally allowed and the circumstances under which they are not?

[dyna]

I understand what you are saying, but it just doesn't make sense. Thats like saying it's past midnight and you come across a drunk driver, or someone not paying attention on the road. Instead of beeping the horn at him or her, im going to let him crash into me. And I looked and there is no law against beeping your horn past midnight. But he got his way as usual.

[drunken monkey]

its all about wording and the intent.
in the uk, in residential areas, it is not allowed for you to use your horn after a certain hour.
but
it is also stated elsewhere, the circumstances where use of horn is appropriate.
if you can prove that your use of the horn is appropriate then that over-rides the other 'law'.

your first question should've been, how else could you have alerted the driver in front of the change in road situation i.e lights' have changed'.

anyway.
chalk it up to experience.

[RandomTask]

A horn's purpose is to get someone else's attention. It clearly looks like the horn was used to get the lead drivers attention. To say you can't use the horn passed midnight is borderline retarded. What if a semi was about to change lanes into you at 1:30 in the morning, you're saying you can't blow your horn to get the truck drivers attention?

[dyna]

Exactly my point random. However there is a law for harsh noise, which basically means a car with no muffler or exhaust over a certain decibel, or an extrememly loud sound system, which they monitor here in Mass. That would be considered harsh noise. But the cop must have been so bored, because the town pulls in the sidewalks at 5:00 PM. He abused the system just to get his way. Basically the town makes it's own rules anyway.

[CraigFL]

Originally Posted by RandomTask

A horn's purpose is to get someone else's attention....

Actually, a horn's purpose is defined in most places to warn someone of impending danger. Honking at a truck about to cut you off would be legitimate in most cases. Using it to wake someone at a light would not...