Aaron,

An excellent idea! Another suggestion I've heard: make the honk as loud inside as it is outside.

mike

By mike, at 5/23/2006 10:15 PM  

The problem is that it isn't just cabbies. Everyone needs a honkometer. Otherwise, I like Mike's suggestion.

Alternatively, I think we should have a couple of unplanned days a year when the cops actually enforce the $300 No Honking fine. I realize the police don't have the manpower to enforce it all the time, but if people don't know when it's going to happen, they may at least be a little more careful.

By Ianqui, at 5/23/2006 10:25 PM  

OHmygod try living n Korea. It's like their hands are surgically attached to their horns.

By Brit, at 5/23/2006 10:49 PM  

Mike, HAHA, that's a great idea too.

Ianqui, you're absolutely right. Everyone needs a honkometer. The only reason to start with cabbies would be that they're easier to regulate (via the TLC), and as Transportation Alternatives has noted in lobbying for raises for cab drivers, they "set the tone" and pace of traffic in Manhattan.

By AD, at 5/24/2006 10:17 AM  

Perhaps taxi drivers should be required to learn morse code. They still might use their horns a lot, but at least they would be communicating information.

By Mitch, at 5/24/2006 3:18 PM  

.-.. --- .-.. .- -. --- - .... . .-. --. .-. . .- - .--. --- .. -. -!

Another great point. You're on a roll Mike. (I'm a Ham radio operator, we have to learn the code to pass our exams.)

By AD, at 5/24/2006 5:08 PM  

A sensitive issue for me - and I don't even live or work in the city! But out here in the 'burbs people honk, too. The rude sound makes my peace-loving soul jump out of my skin. I believe this mini-trauma creates bad vibes that echo into our atmosphere - jolting everyone/thing in it's echo path. Anyway, I think the solution is to change the sound of the horn. Rather than the rude "AHNN!!!" why not polite chimes, or the audio equivilent of "excuse me" ("mmMMMmm"? Sound like a good idea?

By Anonymous, at 5/25/2006 7:29 AM  

Absolutely! That's a great idea.

By AD, at 5/25/2006 9:35 PM  

Ah, my favorite topic in the entire world, honking. Thanks, AD.

First off, forget the honk-o-meter. I think that all we have to do to solve this problem is to design horns so that whenever you hit it, it sounds inside your own car as well as outside your car. That would make the motorheads think twice.

You know, when cars first started appearing in urban areas, they were often outfitted with separate "city horns" that were softer and less jarring than the "country horns" which were designed to be able to move a herd of cows off the road.

Today's horns are often designed to be heard by cars moving at highway speeds where you might need to notify someone of an emergency as far as an eighth of a mile ahead of you. Likewise, the horns are also part of the car's brand identity and, unfortunately, many new car makers want their vehicles to convey a tough, agressive, intimidating identity.

I think horn-blasting in NYC is an utterly sociopathic act. I think you have to either hate the people outside your car to do it. Or you have to just not care about them. I'd estimate that something like 1% of all NYC horn-blasting is necessary. I think the numbers justify the possibility of completely getting rid of the horn altogether.

I think horn volume and pitch should be regulated as a part of the annual vehicle inspections process. If you horn is too loud, you don't get your sticker.

Back in the day, I sometimes used to honk back at people. I'd get right up in their open window and yell, "Hoooonk!" at the top of my lungs as close to their face as I could get. This is a great way to get killed and I don't suggest anyone do it, though, wow, is it satisfying.

Sales pitch for my book: www.honku.org.

By aaron, at 5/25/2006 10:36 PM  

Aaron, great comment - I appreciate that information. Thanks. Yes, I recall your post over at your blog about the honking in people's windows. It's a fair thing to do, but ... let me put it to you this way: I'm glad you're still with us.

By AD, at 5/30/2006 9:43 PM