Dear PoP – Horn Honking on Streets in Early Morning

Photo by PoPville flickr user Jess J

“Dear PoP,

I just want to preface this by saying that I fully understand that this is a first-world problem. It’s not a major thing, so I hope the readers don’t jump down my throat, but I can’t think of anyone else to really ask for advice on the situation. So here goes!

Basically, my partner and two children and I live in northern Petworth on a side street not far from GA Ave. Overall, it’s very quiet and mellow. However, there are cars (at least one, if not more) that drive by our house every single morning that LOVE to lean on their horns over and over and over. Most of the time, it’s a 6:30 am blast two or three times — something that will wake you up, but usually limited enough so that you can go back to sleep. Lately, though, a car (or two?) has been driving up and down the street repeatedly — at 3:30 am — honking on and off, over and over. Last night it happened about 4 times (i.e. 4 trips up and down the street).

Our bedroom faces the street and it’s incredibly frustrating to be woken up over and over. Even earplugs often aren’t enough to block out the sound. Calling 911 seems absurd, but other than going out and chasing the car at 4 a.m. (which also seems a little crazy) we don’t know if there’s anything that can be done ….”

First of all this a completely reasonable concern – period. What I would do is go outside and talk to the driver (very nicely) at 6:30am. Simply ask politely if they would stop. As for the 3:30am honking – I actually would call 911 especially if it is recurring.

What do you guys think?