Is beeping a cars and truck horn a First Amendment? Ask the legal representative

Q: I was driving the family to breakfast. A group of political activists were on the road and we were in the next lane.

B.K., Lawndale

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A: Horn honking comes in a variety of shapes and sizes: You might beep if someone is stopped at a green light, and not going forward; or honk to make sure that an individual does not back out of their driveway as you drive by; or you beep to let a pal understand you are outside, waiting; or perhaps you are simply married and there is some quick, joyful honking.

In that matter, a driver repeatedly beeped her horn while driving previous protesters and was provided a ticket for breaching state law against abuse of vehicle horns. One factor included the court's view that the cars and truck horn is a protective gadget, not a type of political expression.

Q: If I have an emergency situation and I need to get someone to the medical facility, can I utilize a siren? I have a gadget that makes a comparable noise. And if I'm racing to get to the emergency clinic because I think it's life and death, is that going to prevent a ticket for speeding?

Bottom line, I do not see an exception that permits your using a siren even in the scenarios you describe. That is not to state I am unsympathetic, consisting of if you are speeding to get to the ER to save a life; however the law is the law. You may be able to mitigate the impact of the speeding ticket in some way, if you get one, however that kind of driving is to be left to law enforcement, ambulance or paramedics.

Ron Sokol has been a practicing lawyer for over 40 years, and has also served many times as a judge pro tem, mediator, and arbitrator. It is very important to remember that this column presents a summary of the law, and is not to be dealt with or considered legal suggestions, not to mention a substitute for real consultation with a qualified specialist..