You may think horns are funny objects used quite often by clowns that go ‘Awooga!’ However, the car horn plays a vital role in helping drivers in different cars communicate on the road.
Just think for a moment about how much you communicate with people in everyday life – telling your parents that you’re hungry, or discussing plans with your friends for the weekend. Well, on the busy roads horns help drivers alert others that they are there, and help prevent accidents.
Horns are so important in fact that all cars, trucks, ships and trains are required to have one by law.
So how do they work?
Car horns are electrical objects that operate in the same way as a doorbell.
The driver will push a button – usually quite large and in the middle of the steering wheel – which then sends an electrical signal to an electric klaxon, which blasts out a rather loud sound!
With great noise comes great responsibility!
Sometimes drivers hit the horn when they are frustrated, such as in traffic jams. However, this isn’t actually what you’re meant to use the horn for.
It is only there to warn people of danger or to let them know you are there to stop other cars knocking into you.
The horn also should not be used late at night as it might wake up people who are trying to get some sleep!
Checking is easy, but important
The horn is one of the easiest parts of the car to check if it’s working – just press it and if it doesn’t make a sound, then it isn’t working!
If this is the case, make sure you take it to a local garage as soon as possible to get it fixed.
Did you know?
No one likes getting stuck in traffic. So spare a thought for all those travelling from Paris to Lyon 30 years ago.
Back in 1980, the French Autoroute between the two cities was the scene of the world’s longest recorded traffic jam in 1980.
The standstill stretched for approximately 110 miles!
Time for a Car Joke!
What do you call a laughing motorcycle?
A Yamahahaha!