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# Honking soon to be against law
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/honking-soon-to-be-against-law/
- Published: 2003-04-01T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T01:58:14.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Planet Slaves*

City officials have announced that honking will be illegal beginning next month.

The Santa Monica Protective Department plans to slap annoying motorists with a $100 ticket each time they lay on the horn. If the horn is sounded for more than 5 seconds, the fine quadruples.

“These people are a complete nuisance,” said Protective Chief Harry Butts Sr. “Like it isn’t loud enough as it is with all of the city’s buses driving around, now we have to contend with high strung, angry horn lovers.”

> “These people are a complete nuisance.” — — HARRY CHEEKS Santa Monica protective chief

A study recently released showed that most road rage incidents occur shortly after they lay on the horn. The stress level for everyone else on the street also rises, which makes the long-term effects on the entire city unknown.

Some experts claim, however, that L.A. has become a city of angry, self-centered individuals who feel they must use their horns to exert power.

52E,“Research has shown that the act of slamming on the horn gives these people a sense of importance,” said UCLA Professor Ed Smart, just before he received a parking ticket.

But critics say the new law isn’t really addressing the problem of horn honking. It is a much deeper issue and needs a more progressive approach, they say.

Mental health officials suggest the city make treatment mandatory for anyone who violates the law. Some City Council members applauded the suggestion, but only because no one else has done it.

“We want to be first in implementing a common sense approach to horn honking,” said Councilman Mikey Imdoingfine. “Santa Monica remains an example to follow.”

City officials note that horn usage has climbed more than 49 percent in the past decade. And only a few thousand have received treatment for the addiction, which can lead to more serious anger management problems.

“Horn abuse is an evil, baffling disease, man,” said a former horn honker, who asked to remain anonymous. “I didn’t start doing it until I started driving on these pressure cookers called L.A. freeways. Then I started relying on the horn. It was the only way I could get through the day without killing someone.”

City officials will work with county officials to come up with an official plan on how to turn off the horn epidemic.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 1, 2003.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/040103.pdf?ref=smdp.com)