Nobody Beeps Here

Its rare to hear a car beep in England. Maybe it is just Oxford, but in 15 months of driving I could maybe count the number of times I've heard a honk on one hand.

Not surprisingly, people courteously chose to flash their lights when they need to get your attention, rather than beep. The British citizens actually use the horn as it was designed, to warn of danger. How refreshing and a change from living in downtown Chicago where cab drivers obnoxiously honk their horns at every stoplight, no matter what and for no real reason at all.

• When you are trying to make a right turn across traffic, cars will flash their lights to indicate they'll stop and let you turn, so that the cars behind don't have to wait for you.
• When you're tailed by a car in the fast lane and they want to go faster than you, they will flash their brights to say - get out of my way.
• When you're not paying attention and a light becomes green, lights will flash behind you.
• Even the electronic key fobs to lock car doors don't sound the horn, but only flash the car's lights when you hit the lock button. It seems all the car manufacturers have chosen to omit this feature.

Living in this honk free zone is easy on the ears.