Motorist rage: Should I file a police report?

[cvcalhoun]

@creadinger 137278 wrote:

Unfortunately I bet these drivers probably do know the rule. They just don’t frickin care. They’re automatons in a hurry and you’re in the way. It’s legal for you to take the lane, it’s also legal for them to honk at you and act like bratty children.

Actually, it’s not legal for them to honk. In Maryland, for example, the law says:

The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but may not otherwise use the horn when on a highway.

Of course, enforcement is a whole other issue.

[Tania]

@cvcalhoun 137279 wrote:

Of course, enforcement is a whole other issue.

That’s the root of many issues right there.

[huskerdont]

@cvcalhoun 137279 wrote:

Actually, it’s not legal for them to honk. In Maryland, for example, the law says:

The driver of a motor vehicle shall, when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation, give audible warning with his horn, but may not otherwise use the horn when on a highway.

Of course, enforcement is a whole other issue.

People use the horn as a weapon, even though most should know that it is an illegal use in most areas. It’s also very loud to pedestrians and cyclists, and many drivers never get out of their cars so don’t know or care. I don’t have a horn, so any horn blast at me gets an immediate finger. One day I’ll probably get shot, but at least I’m enjoying myself in the meantime.

[Crickey7]

Horn use in Maryland is also permitted if a driver is signaling that they need to re-enter a lane, such as when passing on a two lane road. Arguably, horn use could be protected speech if the motorist claimed they were protesting the allocation of road space to cyclists in general, but not if they are objecting specifically to one cyclist’s being in front of them.

[Jason]

@trailrunner 136723 wrote:

I had a very similar thing happen to me in Fairfax County. I immediately called the police and waited for them at the scene. When they arrived, they tried to blame it on me several ways. I gently pushed back and convinced them that I was 100 percent legal and in the right, but they still didn’t care. I even tracked down were the driver lived (it was in my neighborhood, so it was easy), but they still didn’t care. I followed up with supervisor, but he also didn’t care. So at this point, I personally wouldn’t bother reporting it. We are on our own out there.

I agree, we are, but I would still file anyway. If no satisfaction, contact your local Congressional Rep (outside DC), city councilperson whatever.

[Author]

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