Getting horny on the Roads of Malta
Nothing is more bothersome than a driver using his or her horn for no other reason than to express frustration. A horn is supposed to be a safety device that let’s other people know when there might be a problem. Honking because the driver is irritated, late, and/or has no clue what is going on and can find no other way to get rid of the tension and aggression built up by poor planning on his or her part is unacceptable and a breach of the code of driving conduct. The horn should not be used as an extension of the driver’s inner turmoil. Instead, it should only be used when it is necessary. It is never necessary in a fit of anger.
In Malta, the horn has many varied uses including the aforementioned abomination of self-expression. One use is to bring attention to the fact that the car is going around a blind corner. Most of the roads in Malta were not actually built for cars, and there are some roads that were actually built so that archers would not have a straight line of sight shot at the enemy. While cool to walk down, driving them is a pain, especially when there is no place to turn around and once you are committed, you are committed. Before the point of no return, the driver gives a honk and proceeds hoping that the honk was enough warning to alert any possible oncoming traffic to stop.
Cars will often honk when they go by a bus, especially if that bus has indicated that it is pulling back out into traffic. Several of these honks are of the good variety – I’m in your blind spot. It is just a warning to the bus driver to let him or her know that there is danger. However, a less appropriate way the horn is used in this situation is when a vehicle more than 30 meters from the back of the bus honks its horn to let the bus driver know that the vehicle is coming through, so the bus will just have to wait. Not only is this person highly ignorant of the fact that the bus is larger than their little European car, but he or she is also selfish enough to put the needs of the one ahead of the needs of the many. Selfish and ignorant – give buses the right of way. Everyone on that bus has someplace to be, and they are keeping that many cars off the road.
Then there is the “Hey Friend!” It is a single honk, whereas in the U.S. it would be two honks. Let’s just call that a cultural nuance. I have been caught off guard by it before. I was walking along on the sidewalk, and a car honks at me. I get upset because, “Why is that car honking at me?” Then I realize it is a friend, and all is well with the world again.
Any idiot who is stuck at a roundabout behind a bus or any number of cars should keep his or her horn on mute. Not only is it not helpful to honk at someone who is unsure of when to go while waiting for a break at the roundabout; it is dangerous. At best, the driver who honks will make the other person feel bad, more self-conscious and nervous and cause an even longer wait at the roundabout. At worst, the honking driver will cause the waiting driver to make a mistake, and an accident will ensue. Stopping all traffic for the foreseeable future. If the driver cannot see his or her destination, honking is useless. Anyone causing the delay cannot hear the car horn, and those who can only become enraged.
Following the social rules of the driving community is easy when it comes to the use of the horn. Keep your emotions in check, and lay off the horn, and everyone will get along better. For those who cannot drive without the use of the horn as a means of blasting out emotions – take the bus.
In Malta, the horn has many varied uses including the aforementioned abomination of self-expression. One use is to bring attention to the fact that the car is going around a blind corner. Most of the roads in Malta were not actually built for cars, and there are some roads that were actually built so that archers would not have a straight line of sight shot at the enemy. While cool to walk down, driving them is a pain, especially when there is no place to turn around and once you are committed, you are committed. Before the point of no return, the driver gives a honk and proceeds hoping that the honk was enough warning to alert any possible oncoming traffic to stop.
Cars will often honk when they go by a bus, especially if that bus has indicated that it is pulling back out into traffic. Several of these honks are of the good variety – I’m in your blind spot. It is just a warning to the bus driver to let him or her know that there is danger. However, a less appropriate way the horn is used in this situation is when a vehicle more than 30 meters from the back of the bus honks its horn to let the bus driver know that the vehicle is coming through, so the bus will just have to wait. Not only is this person highly ignorant of the fact that the bus is larger than their little European car, but he or she is also selfish enough to put the needs of the one ahead of the needs of the many. Selfish and ignorant – give buses the right of way. Everyone on that bus has someplace to be, and they are keeping that many cars off the road.
Then there is the “Hey Friend!” It is a single honk, whereas in the U.S. it would be two honks. Let’s just call that a cultural nuance. I have been caught off guard by it before. I was walking along on the sidewalk, and a car honks at me. I get upset because, “Why is that car honking at me?” Then I realize it is a friend, and all is well with the world again.
Any idiot who is stuck at a roundabout behind a bus or any number of cars should keep his or her horn on mute. Not only is it not helpful to honk at someone who is unsure of when to go while waiting for a break at the roundabout; it is dangerous. At best, the driver who honks will make the other person feel bad, more self-conscious and nervous and cause an even longer wait at the roundabout. At worst, the honking driver will cause the waiting driver to make a mistake, and an accident will ensue. Stopping all traffic for the foreseeable future. If the driver cannot see his or her destination, honking is useless. Anyone causing the delay cannot hear the car horn, and those who can only become enraged.
Following the social rules of the driving community is easy when it comes to the use of the horn. Keep your emotions in check, and lay off the horn, and everyone will get along better. For those who cannot drive without the use of the horn as a means of blasting out emotions – take the bus.