Horns that quack like a duck

Living on a crossroads in a busy suburb, we often hear drivers honking their horns. We call it ‘the daily honk’. What if, instead of a klaxon, we heard the quacking of a duck? Sounds quackers?

In search of a different kind of horn

Researchers in Seoul, South Korea were in search of a car horn sound that would be less irritating. They used the regular klaxon as a starting point and modified it to create some other different sounds. Next, they tested the sounds on 100 volunteers, who rated them on a 5-point scale.

The conclusion? Quacks are less startling and could improve road safety by being less distracting to drivers.

Do we want horns to be less distracting?

The idea that quacking horns would be less distracting is ironic, considering horns are designed to distract. They are meant for emergencies.

As a noise consultant said, the noise should trigger a sense of alarm and draw your attention. We hear not just the noise, but the intention behind it – and respond to the intention rather than just the noise itself.

The problem, then, is not the noise itself but the intention of the driver who honks. By far most drivers who honk are not in real danger and cause unnecessary alarm.

So why do we keep honking?

It’s almost never an emergency. Drivers honk to:

• Let you know you’ve been an idiot
• Show everyone around you’ve been an idiot
• Let out their anger at something else, such as not being able to park.

Honking is also against the law, in most cases.

Using your horn is quackers

The Road Rules say the only times you can use your horn are when:

• You need to warn other road users your vehicle is approaching.
• You need to warn animals to get off the road (maybe even ducks).
• The horn is part of an anti-theft or alcohol interlock device fitted to your vehicle.

It will cost you for illegal use of your horn:

• $423 for unnecessary use (such as using your horn to say goodbye when driving away)
• $423 for using a device that makes your horn sound like a siren.

Lighten up

We think a quacking duck noise would remind drivers to lighten up a bit on the roads. Happier drivers must surely make the roads safer for everyone, just as much as a quacking klaxon.

Happy Summer holidays!