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Ask HN: Should cars transition to silent horns that only other drivers can hear?

1 points by amichail 3y ago

An AI could automatically and instantly determine whether a silent horn can be used based on whether nearby cars support the feature and whether there is a possible danger to pedestrians.

PaulHoule 3y ago
Shouldn't you be able to honk at one specific driver sometimes? I've always laughed at the idea that you might call the number on a "How am I driving bumper sticker" and get connected to the driver.
LinuxBender 3y ago
Should cars transition to silent horns that only other drivers can hear? No. The horn is not just for other vehicles. It is also for animals in the road, getting a friend to come out of their house for the ride they requested and to signal one is in the mood per request of the bumper sticker. Many laws would have to be changed [1] as well. In my own personal opinion horns should be both audible and physical as in the usage of Rumblers [2] for the hearing impaired. [1] - https://hornblasters.com/pages/state-laws https://hornblasters.com/pages/state-laws [2] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsYT1PRjIg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsYT1PRjIg [video][3 mins]
dave4420 3y ago
Would I, as the target driver, be able to mute it?
- amichail 3y ago
  No. But the horn would be heard by all nearby drivers — not just a single targeted driver.
  - simonblack 3y ago
    The horn would then signal to other drivers "Hey! Watch this! Count how many pedestrians I can plough through at one go!"
qd011 3y ago
You should transition to a forum that only you can read.
Suppafly 3y ago
No.
anenefan 3y ago
Definitely not, a lot can be said of the way a person is leaning on the horn - pedestrians and others around the streets can be forewarned they might have a muppet, tool, wanker or a real piece of work in the vicinity ... and since they have their hands free, ring authorities if they feel that person is in no proper state to be driving safely on the road. People do have really bad days though, but too many leaning on their horns too hard are simply impatient and rude.

1 points by amichail 3y ago

An AI could automatically and instantly determine whether a silent horn can be used based on whether nearby cars support the feature and whether there is a possible danger to pedestrians.

PaulHoule 3y ago

Shouldn't you be able to honk at one specific driver sometimes? I've always laughed at the idea that you might call the number on a "How am I driving bumper sticker" and get connected to the driver.

LinuxBender 3y ago

Should cars transition to silent horns that only other drivers can hear? No. The horn is not just for other vehicles. It is also for animals in the road, getting a friend to come out of their house for the ride they requested and to signal one is in the mood per request of the bumper sticker. Many laws would have to be changed [1] as well. In my own personal opinion horns should be both audible and physical as in the usage of Rumblers [2] for the hearing impaired. [1] - https://hornblasters.com/pages/state-laws https://hornblasters.com/pages/state-laws [2] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsYT1PRjIg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wsYT1PRjIg [video][3 mins]

dave4420 3y ago

Would I, as the target driver, be able to mute it?

amichail 3y ago
No. But the horn would be heard by all nearby drivers — not just a single targeted driver.
- simonblack 3y ago
  The horn would then signal to other drivers "Hey! Watch this! Count how many pedestrians I can plough through at one go!"

qd011 3y ago

You should transition to a forum that only you can read.

Suppafly 3y ago

No.

anenefan 3y ago

Definitely not, a lot can be said of the way a person is leaning on the horn - pedestrians and others around the streets can be forewarned they might have a muppet, tool, wanker or a real piece of work in the vicinity ... and since they have their hands free, ring authorities if they feel that person is in no proper state to be driving safely on the road. People do have really bad days though, but too many leaning on their horns too hard are simply impatient and rude.