Your car horn is an extension of your voice to other vehicles while driving but when is the proper time to use it?

When Most Drivers In Illinois Use Their Car Horns

I'll be the first to admit that my hand is never too far from my car horn. My reflexes are quick when I need to use it. Honking the horn at another driver is about the extent of my road rage. I believe that's how most people in Illinois use it. There are plenty of people behind the wheel that will lay on the car horn as if their life depended on it. Those are the very angry people.

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Illinois Laws For Honking Your Horn
Illinois Laws For Honking Your Horn
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Car Horns Are Legally Required In Illinois

First of all, your car needs a horn for you to be able to use it. That's not just common sense. It's actually the law. By the way, anything else is against the law unless it's a proper vehicle.

According to csiu.org, 

Vehicles must have a horn that can be heard from 200 feet. Sirens, whistles and bells are allowed only on authorized emergency vehicles.

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Illinois Laws For Honking Your Horn
Illinois Laws For Honking Your Horn
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Is It Legal To Randomly Honk Your Car Horn In Illinois?

The answer might be surprising. You can't randomly use your car horn in Illinois. It can only legally be used for safety reasons. Even if you're just honking at your neighbor to say "hi."

According to ilga.gov,

The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation give audible warning with his horn but shall not otherwise use such horn when upon a highway

I'm guessing most of us that live in Illinois could be getting tickets for the illegal use of a car horn. I don't think too many cops are going to write that ticket.

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Illinois Laws For Honking Your Horn
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