Must beep horn when passing on a highway in NJ?

New Jersey Statute 39:4-85 says that the driver of an overtaking motor vehicle, not within a business or residence district, must sound his/her horn before passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction. Does this mean that I must beep my horn whenever I pass a car on a multi-lane superhighway? Paul [email]paul628@concentric.net[/email] 2-13-02

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by paul628
New Jersey Statute 39:4-85 says that the driver of an overtaking motor vehicle, not within a business or residence district, must sound his/her horn before passing a vehicle proceeding in the same direction. Does this mean that I must beep my horn whenever I pass a car on a multi-lane superhighway? Paul [email]paul628@concentric.net[/email] 2-13-02

My response:

I can see it now . . . 82 year old "Granny" getting freaked out and panicked, losing control of her vehicle and going over the edge of the superhighway, and careening 48 feet down to her death because she's getting honked by passing drivers. What a dumb law.

Here's my version :

39:4-85. Passing to left when overtaking; passing when in lines; signalling to pass; passing upon right

The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction shall pass at a safe distance to the left thereof and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle. If vehicles on the roadway are moving in two or more substantially continuous lines, the provisions of this paragraph and section 39:4-87 of this Title shall not be considered as prohibiting the vehicles in one line overtaking and passing the vehicles in another line either upon the right or left, nor shall those provisions be construed to prohibit drivers overtaking and passing upon the right another vehicle which is making or about to make a left turn.

The driver of an overtaking motor vehicle not within a business or residence district shall give audible warning with his horn or other warning device. such as vocally screaming and yelling, and giving the "finger" to such other New Jersey drivers, before passing or attempting to pass a vehicle proceeding in the same direction, who must then, in turn, respond to the warning by saying, "fuggetaboutit."

The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right as provided in this section only under conditions permitting such movement in safety. In no event shall such movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway.


IAAL