Horn-Honking Case Proposed to Supreme Court
California suit seeks First Amendment protection of vehicle tooting at will.
The California law, similar to others, prohibits car horn blowing except to alert others of traffic dangers.
IMAGE: Pexels/Wavy_revolution
A California woman has taken her case on the freedom to honk one’s car horn as a First Amendment right all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Oceanside woman, Susan Porter, cited by a sheriff’s deputy for honking her horn multiple times as she drove past a rally outside a congressman’s office in 2017, says Americans should have the leeway to honk when they feel moved to do so, according to news reports.
Porter honked in support of demonstrators outside Rep. Darrell Issa’s office over his support of then-President Donald Trump.
She was ticketed for misuse of a car horn in violation of state law. Porter sued, arguing that horn honking is a First Amendment right. She lost her case before a district court and a federal appellate court and has now asked the Supreme Court to take it.
The state law, similar to others, prohibits car horn blowing except to alert others of traffic dangers.
The Supreme Court hasn’t yet decided whether to hear the case.
LEARN MORE: Cybersecurity Risks in Today's High-Tech Vehicles
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Selling to Grow
The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.
Read More →
Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High
Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop
Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.
Read More →
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →
BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn
The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.
Read More →
South Carolina Auto Group Downsizes
Florida-based group Holler-Classic has acquired four rooftops, its first in South Carolina, from Dick Smith Automotive Group.
Read More →
July Was Hot for Auto Borrowers
Credit proved readily available for many, but most loans left buyers in negative territory, Cox Automotive said.
Read More →
Structure Leads to Optimized Auto Listings
As the average car-buying journey has shifted to a blend of digital and retail, a dealership’s vehicle listings must be optimized to answer shoppers’ questions clearly and accurately.
Read More →