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Sounding the horn……??

12LDA28C

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All I can say is make sure you give a nice solid blast on the horn, some traction downloads (black box) won't register the use of the horn if it's been sounded quietly and short and if you hit someone you could end up being charged for manslaughter and going to jail.

True enough and I'm pretty sure most drivers are fully aware of that.
 
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Train_manager

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Why? Both tones of the horn gives a better warning of the approach of a train and differentiates the sound from car horns where there is road traffic in the vicinity. I recall that when the Rule change came into force, ASLEF issued a notice instructing drivers to continue to use both tones of the horn for that very reason.



'Slack' would be not sounding the horn at all. Using both tones is safer, in the opinion of many drivers and certainly their union

Yes ASLEF did issue that notice and I've read it. Was it around 2018ish ? I can't remember.

It's always 2 tones from me.

It's still shocking the amount of whistle boards that have been removed from in use foot crossing!!! Cos of the nimby's.
 

43066

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Yes ASLEF did issue that notice and I've read it. Was it around 2018ish ? I can't remember.

It's always 2 tones from me.

It's still shocking the amount of whistle boards that have been removed from in use foot crossing!!! Cos of the nimby's.

On the other hand, if the board isn’t there, the driver cannot be blamed for not sounding the horn!
 

Peter Mugridge

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Why? Both tones of the horn gives a better warning of the approach of a train and differentiates the sound from car horns where there is road traffic in the vicinity.
A couple of years ago there was someone driving around near here who had a train horn fitted to their car - at what seemed like full volume as well.

Surely that wouldn't be legal?
 

Randomer

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A couple of years ago there was someone driving around near here who had a train horn fitted to their car - at what seemed like full volume as well.

Surely that wouldn't be legal?

You can't fit two tone horns to a vehicle, Section 99 (4) of the construction and use regs, so they can be done for that if fitted with a UK style two tone horn (its the regulation that prevents sirens being fitted to normal vehicles). I can't seem to find an actual limit on output for a single tone horn, outside of the time and place limits on when horns can be used in general, although I suspect using it to startle people would rapidly get you a Section 59 warning and the vehicle seized if it happened again.

You can quite legally buy north American style train horns driven by a battery powered impact driver.
 

Islineclear3_1

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A couple of years ago there was someone driving around near here who had a train horn fitted to their car - at what seemed like full volume as well.

Surely that wouldn't be legal?
I'm sure it's not legal either but it goes for vehicles with lots of lights on. I remember on a trip to the IoW some years back, a police officer pulling over a young motorist and commenting "what do you think this is; a mobile disco!?".

I'm sure the police wouldn't be in the least bit interested these days
 

Peter Mugridge

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Epsom
You can't fit two tone horns to a vehicle, Section 99 (4) of the construction and use regs, so they can be done for that if fitted with a UK style two tone horn (its the regulation that prevents sirens being fitted to normal vehicles). I can't seem to find an actual limit on output for a single tone horn, outside of the time and place limits on when horns can be used in general, although I suspect using it to startle people would rapidly get you a Section 59 warning and the vehicle seized if it happened again.
Thank you; I only heard it the once so it either wasn't local or he got nicked for it very quickly... I don't think it was being used to make people jump; more to do with wanting more volume ( Epsom has a very serious traffic problem - mainly down to people who can't drive properly blocking junctions ).

From what you say, if he only had one tone he could have had it as loud as he liked?!
 

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