Why do drivers honk at learning drivers and what can be done to handle it?

  • JunaNougsot's Avatar
    As a teenager learning to drive, I am naturally driving at a slower pace than most drivers. My top priority is being aware of my surroundings and ensuring my safety. I understand that this may cause some inconvenience to other drivers, but I feel it's not worth risking my safety for the sake of keeping up with traffic.
    I find it frustrating when I receive honks from other drivers, despite having stickers on my car indicating that I am a beginner driver. I don't understand the point of honking at a learning driver to go faster. What difference does it make in the grand scheme of things?
    I often feel guilty driving on main roads because I am aware that I am causing inconvenience to other drivers. However, I need to learn and gain experience, and I don't think it's fair for others to expect me to drive at a normal pace right away.
    Is there something I am missing or misunderstanding about this situation? I would love to receive insights or
  • 7 Replies

  • Best Answer

    Santa's Avatar
    Best Answer
    First off, it's rude and dickish to "honk" at a learner just because of some mild inconvenience.

    On the other hand, it is incumbent on you to do your best to keep up with other traffic. It takes time to develop that all-around awareness that experienced drivers have, so you should always leave a suitable gap in front, check your mirror a lot, and keep looking around to see what the idiots (yes most of them are idiots) around you are doing.
  • Rolebama's Avatar
    I treat slow drivers, learners or not, same as any other event likely to add to my journey time. I will overtake if feasible, or use an alternate route. To me, anyone that honks at a learner driver has just put a flashing neon sign over their car saying: "The driver of this car is an idiot!"*
    *With thanks to Santa for providing me with an acceptable alternative word to the one I really think.
  • Drivingforfun's Avatar
    As a learner it quickly became my view that people can always pass. I’d not stop them. I'd always and still do keep to my side of the road if someone comes up behind, and facilitate their overtake in whatever way possible. If they refuse to pass my assumption is that they are content at my speed.


    If you feel a driver is really pressurising you then you could always pull over. Not that you should have to yield to their behaviour but it is a way of taking control of the situation.
  • Rolebama's Avatar
    Slightly off-topic, but a few years ago I agreed to sit in with a friend's son as a full licence holder. We were on the A1 doing around 65-70mph when another car came up behind quite quickly. For some reason, he braked quite harshly, (saw his lights go down), and started flashing his headlamps and sounding his horn. We ha already decided we were cominf off at the next junction, and the other car followed us off. As we sat at the traffic lights, he pulled up next to us, opened the passenger window and started screaming abuse. I told the lad to ignore him. Next minute the other driver pulled forward and stopped across the front of us, and got out of his car. I got out and just told him we had his actions, both behind and in front on dashcams. He then shouted quite clearly that driving so slowly on a major dual carriageway was stupid and dangerous. I agreed that yes it was a dual carriageway so he could have just driven past us and away. He just got back in his car and drove off, jumping two red traffic lights that we saw.
  • Drivingforfun's Avatar
    Very weird, Rolebama.

    Not on the same level but I often see drivers remain behind a car that is turning left off of a dual carriageway, slowing to 20mph, with a clear overtaking lane, then speed up once the vehicle in front has turned off.

    I also had an incident, also on the A1, where I took a few minutes to pull out of a single track onto the A1 and the driver who was behind me on the single track came up extremely close behind me sounding their horn then overtook me and braked very heavily.


    Finally a family member had a similar incident which resulted in a crash (won’t call it an accident). Driving relatively slowly through a village and a van behind overtook, pulled in and did an emergency stop and family member went into the back of them. When they exchanged details he said he did it because my relative was driving too slowly. Sadly no dash camera so it was a fault claim for the family member to repair their own car, strangely the van never made a claim so we believe was probably an uninsured traveller.


    What I don’t understand is if you are genuinely in such a rush why take the time to “punish” a slow driver!!🙄

    Apologies if this post appears twice, the website crashed when I last pressed post.
  • Marc's Avatar
    Community Manager
    First off, it's rude and dickish to "honk" at a learner just because of some mild inconvenience.

    On the other hand, it is incumbent on you to do your best to keep up with other traffic. It takes time to develop that all-around awareness that experienced drivers have, so you should always leave a suitable gap in front, check your mirror a lot, and keep looking around to see what the idiots (yes most of them are idiots) around you are doing.

    I love this reply @Santa it's very fair on both 'sides'. It can be rude, but equally the learner driver has some responsibilities.

    Hope all these replies have been helpful @JunaNougsot 👍
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  • Anawilliam850's Avatar
    Guest
    Firstly, it is understandable that as a beginner driver, your primary concern is safety. It's important to prioritize your safety and the safety of others on the road. Driving at a slower pace than other drivers may be necessary for you to feel comfortable and safe. It's crucial to gain experience and confidence behind the wheel before driving at a faster pace.
    Secondly, it's common for drivers to honk at others who are driving slower than the flow of traffic. However, it's important to remember that some drivers may honk out of frustration rather than concern for your safety. It's essential to focus on your driving and not be distracted by other drivers' behaviors.
    Thirdly, it's okay to feel guilty or anxious about causing inconvenience to other drivers. However, it's important to remember that every driver was a beginner once, and everyone has to start somewhere. It's better to take the time to learn and gain experience than to rush and make mistakes that could be dangerous.
    Overall, it's important to prioritize your safety and gain experience at your own pace. As you continue to practice, your skills and confidence will improve, and you'll be able to drive more comfortably and safely.