Waiting before beeping your horn when lights go green

Trampas

As it says above.

I was shopped at a set of right lights today and when the lights went green the van behind must have beep me in about a second to say the lights where green.

Is everyone in a rush somewhere that the car infront must be like F1 driver when the lights turn green.

How long do people wait before they give the car infront a beep?

Atomic Pineapple

generally around 10 seconds i'd say, more if its a learner drive that might be struggling with something, anybody can miss the changing of the lights for a few seconds have done it myself, patience is a virtue

TommyT

When you are sitting at a red light what else are you waiting for? Sometimes I think some people are waiting for a different shade of green.

Seth Brundle

It depends on what the driver is doing. If they seem to be unaware of the change I might beep them politely. If their obliviousness continues, I'll keep the hand firmly on the horn for a few seconds!

I wouldn't bother beeping someone who stalled or genuinely held up traffic.

However, with regard to how long to wait before I sound the horn - I guess it depends on the situation so I went with AJ!

Owen

I'll give someone 3 seconds, then beep politely. If they haven't moved after 6-7 seconds they get a blast. If you're first at the lights, it's your responsibility to keep an eye on them IMHO.

unkel

If it's a driving school car, I will not beep. No matter how long it takes. If there's an L-plate on the car, I might beep gently if I'm under the impression that the driver isn't paying attention at all. If the driver is struggling / stalling, I will not beep

In all other cases I will beep within 1 second. Initially I'll just nudge it so it will produce the tiniest amount of noise. After another second or two, I'll let my very loud, annoying and aggressive BMW horn do its worst!

Voted atari jaguar as the other options are not flexible enough

littlejukka

i went for 5 seconds.

unkel, less than a second is unreasonable. by the time you've seen the light, pressed the clutch, pushed the thing into gear and started out towards the biting point, the last thing you want to hear is a beep as you try to move off.

wet-paint

You can usually see the head of the person in front of you, and if it's obvious that they're rooting in their bag or something, I'll give it a tap to let them know it's changed. I think you can tell from the length of the sound how a person feels. Give it three seconds more, and beep again.

I remember hearing an interesting definitiio, don't remember where though.

Nanosecond - the time between the light turning green, and the guy behind you pressing his horn.

Lord Nikon

littlejukka wrote:

i went for 5 seconds.

Count to five, long time isn't it.

Before the light goes green, handbreak off(unless on a hill, not always), proper gear engaged, foot on the clutch(bitepoint is optional), accelerator feathered.

I'm actually watching the other lights to go red, so I'm ready to go ASAP.

TBH, if you waiting at a set of traffic lights, your waiting for them to go green, nothing else. There should be no hold up.

Different set of rules for learners, or people who look like they have made a mistake.

Our man in Havana

wet-paint wrote:

Nanosecond - the time between the light turning green, and the guy behind you pressing his horn.

That's what they call a New York second.

MAYPOP

Depends n the situation - if the person in front is blatantly chatting to someone or on the phone, then 2 seconds is enough, if however, it's a learner or old folk, then I'm happy to let my patience shine through. I don't like to throw my horn about too much.

Mr Magnolia

I won't beep a learner driver, everyone else unless they've stalled gets a couple of seconds only, they've a bed for sleeping in so buck 'em.

Wossack

Usually never beep as never really in a rush in the car. If I was, I'd take the bike, and well... wouldnt get stuck behind anyone

Ghupta Yahd

I give a short tap of the horn .

Pherekydes

No need to beep. That's why cars have bumpers!

But seriously, I only beep if the driver has nodded off or is otherwise not paying attention. At many lights you may have a left turn filter which some drivers stop too far forward to see. These get a full blast from me, even if I'm not second in line. So, if you're too polite to beep the guy in front coz he hasn't seen the filter green then that guy behind beeping may be me.

prospect

kbannon wrote:

It depends on what the driver is doing. If they seem to be unaware of the change I might beep them politely. If their obliviousness continues, I'll keep the hand firmly on the horn for a few seconds!

I wouldn't bother beeping someone who stalled or genuinely held up traffic.

However, with regard to how long to wait before I sound the horn - I guess it depends on the situation so I went with AJ!

Ditto.

Owen

Bond-007 wrote:

That's what they call a New York second.

I thought it was a New York minute?

Seth Brundle

ned78 wrote:

I thought it was a New York minute?

ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

seamus

I went for three seconds. But the same as everyone else, I'm only going to beep if they seem oblivious to the lights. Beeping someone who has stalled isn't going to make them go any faster (quite the opposite in fact, learners tend to panic at that point).

I also see huge difference between blasting someone out of it, and giving a short bip on the horn. In 99% of situations, the former is completely unnecessary.

Victor Meldrew

Mr Magnolia wrote:

I won't beep a learner driver, everyone else unless they've stalled gets a couple of seconds only, they've a bed for sleeping in so buck 'em.

I won't beep learners IF THEY RE ACCOMPANIED, if they just can't drive they should not be on the road unaccompanied. If you can't drop a clutch you should not be on the road.

that said i only give a short beep.

Turbulent Bill

Marginally OT, but there are a couple of junctions where it pays not to move off quickly, or even wait for a second.

The M50 northbound exit to Blanchardstown is a prime example. For some reason lots of cars going westbound along the N3 seem to break the lights when exiting the roundabout over the M50, and because of the position of the slip road from the M50 it's difficult to see them coming.

C_Breeze

I would generally only beep if i got the impression the driver was snoozing or not paying attention (and a short courtesy beep , not a angry blast) just to get em on the ball again.

If it was a Learner who was having difficulty I would leave them at it, beeping is so stupid as it only stresses them out more (i feel so sorry for them)

alias no.9

I've voted 5 seconds, that's how long I'd give someone that clearly wasn't paying attention, but only ever the slightest touch, which is always enough. If they appeared to be making an effort to move off but were having difficulty, i.e. a learner, elderly person or someone driving an unfamiliar car, then I won't beep as it serves no positive purpose, at best its an annoyance to everybody within earshot and at worst it will panic the driver that's having difficulty and slow things further.

mikemac

I'm on a motorbike so if I'm second in line and they stall, I don't beep

I just overtake them :cool:

unkel

littlejukka wrote:

unkel, less than a second is unreasonable. by the time you've seen the light, pressed the clutch, pushed the thing into gear and started out towards the biting point, the last thing you want to hear is a beep as you try to move off.

I'm with neuromancer on this one. People should be ready for take off by the time the light turns green, particularly the first car in the queue. It is their duty to other road users. However I should have elaborated. If I see them moving inside the car (i.e. pushing into gear, etc.) I'll give them a bit longer. The one second was when I see them doing nothing / reading the paper / talking on the phone, etc.

Jimoslimos

neuromancer wrote:

I'm actually watching the other lights to go red, so I'm ready to go ASAP.

Fine if its a junction where you're very familiar with the sequence of traffic & pedestrian lights. If not, then the only lights you should be concerned about are the ones in front of you.

Papergirl 1

Well if its obvious that the driver is hasnt noticed that the light is green, I'll give them a quick beep to alert them to the situation. Although I did this last week and the person nearly went crazy! Started shaking their fist at me and shaking their head! What the heck were they waiting for....a written invition from the green light or what!!? And the light only lasts a few seconds at that particular junction, so time is everything!!!

peasant

I'd like to give a long (about an hour:D ), hard blast on a 130 db airhorn right into the ear of the person who is responsible for programming the traffic lights.

WHY IS THERE NO ORANGE PHASE?

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

It would give everybody time to get into gear and release the handbrake and actually get going once its green.

_feedback_

neuromancer wrote:

Count to five, long time isn't it.

Before the light goes green, handbreak off(unless on a hill, not always), proper gear engaged, foot on the clutch(bitepoint is optional), accelerator feathered.

I'm actually watching the other lights to go red, so I'm ready to go ASAP.

TBH, if you waiting at a set of traffic lights, your waiting for them to go green, nothing else. There should be no hold up.

Different set of rules for learners, or people who look like they have made a mistake.

It's fair enough being ready to take off as you see green... but all this checking lights on the other side and knowing when yours are going to turn is all well and good... but it can be dangerous to be too ready and taking off straight away, as there could be someone who'll break the lights or a pedestrian taking a chance etc.

I put down that I don't beep at lights... because that would be me generally. I don't like it if someone does it to me. But at a push I'd say 5 seconds. But would use the horn in that way very rarely.

stovelid

between 5-10 depending on my mood or how late I am

I would only give a gentle beep, not lean on the horn.

Wouldn't do it to a learner who obviously looks like they've stalled.

Papergirl 1

peasant wrote:

WHY IS THERE NO ORANGE PHASE?

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP

It would give everybody time to get into gear and release the handbrake and actually get going once its green.

Yeah like up north, its the best thing ever, gives people time to wake the fook up and get ready to move!

Linford

When the are lights that only allow a few cars through, I will sometimes beep just as the lights change, especially if I am the 4th or 5th car. It really annoys me that people take 5-10 secs to take off, this can prevent 3 or 4 cars making the lights, in my opinion it is very selfish. It can be up to 5 minutes when the lights change again.

ballooba

One of my pet hates. I hate being behind someone at lights and watching them first engage gear, then release the handbrake, then look around, then set off. These people have obviously not learned to drive.

WRT learners, they only get slack if they are accompanied. Even less if they look older.

In Belfast I like the Orange light before Green to tell you to prepare to set off. Although you should be prepared if you are at the front.

seamus

elviscostello wrote:

It's fair enough being ready to take off as you see green... but all this checking lights on the other side and knowing when yours are going to turn is all well and good... but it can be dangerous to be too ready and taking off straight away, as there could be someone who'll break the lights or a pedestrian taking a chance etc.

Part of watching the lights is watching for people who may potentially break those lights as well as plucky pedestrians.

I can never really be dangerous to be "too ready" (though I get what you're saying). I don't recall ever being taught during driving lessons to observe the light sequences and be prepared to move off. Irish people in general seem to be atrocious at it, judging from how much distance I manage to put between me and the vehicle behind at most junctions.

There's nothing more frustrating IMO than missing a light change because the guy at the front took forever to move off.

NeMiSiS

This bugs the total crap out of me, possibly more than anything else on the roads, and mainly because on a huge amount of roads the light seqeuncing is brutal, I bet you could name hundreds of examples..

It's simple, if you are at a junction, when you see the traffic turning right across you, the next set of lights will be for you to go.. in most cases.. why don;t people get that ? Half the time they are not even watching!

Take off speed is brutal too, people seem to want to get to fifth as fast as possible, and do not accelerate appropriatly. They also drive too close to the car in front.. so they have to wait for this car to move.. beefore they can.. if you get my drift.. if they kept a correct distance.. when the lights go green.. the car in front moves.. and they move at the same time.. rather than.. car in front moves.. wait for the distance to increase.. move.. as if the car in front was a train.. and the cars behind were the carraiges.. they move _at the same time_

Also ! When people turn right at junctions at traffic lights, they do not seem to be able to do it at anymore than maybe 15km/h, and they sit on the brakes the whole way !

I would love to see the NI "get ready" system come in, but I would imagine it would cause a huge amount of accidents, because well.. people are idiots..

My ... I could rant all day..
TK

blastman

What peasant and neuromancer said, basically.

Driving in England a couple of times recently made me appreciate what a good idea the red-amber phase is. I usually try to get into a position if I'm first in the queue to see the other lights so I can use it to be ready as soon my light goes green. Having said that, some people come through lights ridiculously late, especially on the M50 junctions, and not just Blanchardstown, although it is bad there.

As for beeping someone, I'll generally give them a few seconds. I can't remember when I beeped someone last. I wouldn't beep a learner or someone who stalled or made a genuine mistake.

fletch

My horn always sounds angry whereas when I drive my Mam's car (Fiat Panda) it always sounds like a friendly noddy beep. Did I read recently that the Mini has 3 different sounds on the horn for different situations? Very handy if you ask me. Often times I just want to politely alert the car in front that the lights have changed without sounding like a crazed steaming lunatic.
Does anybody have a link to the Mini horn? I can't seem to find it anywhere and I don't think I imagined it!

ballooba

seamus wrote:

I don't recall ever being taught during driving lessons to observe the light sequences and be prepared to move off.

My qualified and certified instructor did.

It was a different age when you did your test though.

seamus wrote:

There's nothing more frustrating IMO than missing a light change because the guy at the front took forever to move off.

It makes baby Jesus cry.

ballooba

fletch wrote:

Did I read recently that the Mini has 3 different sounds on the horn for different situations? Very handy if you ask me.

Any car can have different horn sounds. It depends on how you poress it. If I'm giving a polite nudge I literally tap the horn.

fletch

ballooba wrote:

Any car can have different horn sounds. It depends on how you poress it. If I'm giving a polite nudge I literally tap the horn.

Well different pitches then...

ballooba

blastman wrote:

Having said that, some people come through lights ridiculously late, especially on the M50 junctions, and not just Blanchardstown, although it is bad there.

They'd soon learn that they can't if the other party is going to be coming through.

I sometimes work out that I will be able to turn right in front of someone before they get their act together to move off. You might think it's risky but I've never go it wrong.

stovelid

ballooba wrote:

I sometimes work out that I will be able to turn right in front of someone before they get their act together to move off. You might think it's risky but I've never go it wrong.

Can you pass on how you mastered predicting the future? I'd love to be able to do that.

seamus

ballooba wrote:

It was a different age when you did your test though.

It was seven years ago!

ballooba

stovelid wrote:

Can you pass on how you mastered predicting the future? I'd love to be able to do that.

I said it was risky.

I have yet to encounter a boyracer trapped in a provisional licence wielding granny's body driving a F1 car disguised as a beat-up Nissan Micra. When I do though, I'll be toast.

seamus wrote:

It was seven years ago!

Ah, I was only yanking your chain. I'm sorry.

paddydriver

This is an area that annoys me too - if everyone was paying attention then we could all move a lot better through the lights. There is always that period where you can see the green light up top and you are thinking.... well, when are they gonna move!

The worst one though is when the person in front of you takes an age and then just manages to fly through the "just gone red" light and you have to then release the parachute and are left waiting... this irks me, and has happened to me a few times at the beacon hotel junction in Sandyford. Yesterday I flashed them to say Thanks for leaving me at the lights... should of beeped them when it took them near 10 seconds to get moving in the first place.

Rant over:D

unkel

NeMiSiS wrote:

on a huge amount of roads the light seqeuncing is brutal

That's one of the most annoying things around. It's not hard to set it up and review regularly. Once done is saves loads of people loads of time

Apart from sequencing itself, almost all traffic lights in the country are fixed sequence. Intelligent lights with sensors were widespread on the continent 30+ years ago...

I like your rant, NeMiSiS. Agree 100%

Guy:Incognito

littlejukka wrote:

i went for 5 seconds.

unkel, less than a second is unreasonable. by the time you've seen the light, pressed the clutch, pushed the thing into gear and started out towards the biting point, the last thing you want to hear is a beep as you try to move off.

Do you not keep an eye on the lights for the cars coming from the side? Then you can just out it in gear when theirs go orange and your ready to go on your light.

Edit. didnt realise the thread was so long, think this was covered. :-)

Duckjob

If I can see them daydreaming out the driver window or yapping away with a phone stuck to their ear I'll definitely give them a blast. Not sitting on the horn, but not too polite either.

I figure when you're sitting at the lights, you've a responsibility to the traffic behind you to stay aware and move off smartly when the lights change.

Nothing more frustrating, especially in heavy traffic, to see a short lights change wasted by somebody who can't be arsed to pay attention.

I'd never beep someone who is watching the lights / who has stalled / who is a learner.

testicle

draffodx wrote:

generally around 10 seconds i'd say

I'd have driven over you if you took tha long to move at lights!

Unless the car has stalled of course.

elven

I don't put the handbrake on at lights, and was sitting once with my foot on the brake... by the time I lifted it off the brake and got to biting point (about a second) I'd been beeped at by a bloody white van driver behind me. I tend to be rather more patient when I'm not the first in the queue - although it *reeeally* winds me up when someone's snoozing, gets through just as they change and leaves me stranded when its back on red again.

The amber/red combo is far more sensible I think.

As far as learning the sequence and being prepared - fair enough if you know the junction - I do for all the ones on the way to/from work but if you start expecting people to be like that, moving off almost before the light turns green (most taxi drivers don't even pretend to wait for the light to actually change mind you), when you couple it with the highest level of red light jumping I've ever seen (never mind pedestrians that think they are made of steel and disregard lights/traffic altogether), you're asking for trouble.

I sometimes get a bit naughty and jump through just as I know its going to go from amber to red - and every single time I see one or two cars behind me - blatantly breaking the red light. Didn't happen in scotland... totally different attitude. Shocks me every time!

ballooba

elven wrote:

I don't put the handbrake on at lights, and was sitting once with my foot on the brake... by the time I lifted it off the brake and got to biting point (about a second) I'd been beeped at by a bloody white van driver behind me.

Wouldn't it be quicker to use the handbrake and get bite before letting it off?

Unless like me you drive an automatic.