Filed under: Latest News
A survey of 2000 motorists by webuyanycar.com has found that 53% of BMW drivers admit to being a bit fast and loose with their horns.
In fact, they admitted to using them at least once every trip - three times the national average of 18%.
It seems that 'very important' people in 3 Series' and taste-free goons in X6s believe that not only are indicators optional* but liberal application of the horn is A OK as long as they think it's justified.
To balance the Beemers' over indulgence, 95% of Nissan drivers claim to never use their horns unless they're in an emergency situation - as is normal.
In between the two extremes lie Jaguar drivers (45% honk-happy), Fiat owners (43%), Audi pilots (39%) and Saab riders (29%).
A wonderful array of excuses were given for over parpage:
Another driver pulled out in front - 52%
A vehicle is taking its sweet time after a traffic light turns green - 51%
Letting other road users know of a danger - 29%
They also claimed to press the big button if they spotted a driver on their phone, saw a cyclist in the wrong place on the road (in the middle, for example) or were driving along a twisty country road and wanted to let people know there was something coming the other way (or fancied making some noise).
Now, in case you didn't know The Highway Code says that you can only honk if your vehicle is moving and you need to alert other road users of your presence. That's it. You're not supposed to use it in anger, when you see someone you know or to let the person you're giving a lift to that you've arrived. Ideally you're not supposed to use it between 11.30pm and 7am, either - but you can if another driver is being a mad-headed ape behind the wheel.
* Some BMW drivers think this. Not all.