agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Horn-Honking Case Proposed to Supreme Court

California suit seeks First Amendment protection of vehicle tooting at will.

November 20, 2023
Horn-Honking Case Proposed to Supreme Court

The California law, similar to others, prohibits car horn blowing except to alert others of traffic dangers.

IMAGE: Pexels/Wavy_revolution

1 min to read


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.

Ad Loading...

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

Topics:Industry

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Dealer Ops

Car key, stacks of coins, and a paper car cutout with AutoPayPlus logo, representing auto financing, loan terms, and vehicle affordability trends.
Dealer Opsby StaffMarch 31, 2026

Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales

AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.

Read More →
Headshots of two male executives
Dealer Opsby StaffMarch 24, 2026

IA American Appoints Two Execs

Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.

Read More →
Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellAugust 26, 2025

Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half

A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SalesAugust 25, 2025

How to Build a High-Performance Sales and F&I Team

Performance and profits start with people chosen and led the right way.

Read More →
Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellAugust 19, 2025

Buy-Sells Up in Q2

Kerrigan metrics show there’s plenty of demand, though many sellers are waiting to pull the trigger.

Read More →
F&Iby StaffApril 2, 2025

DOWC Powers the Future of F&I for NESNA

Company is providing a fully integrated F&I administration model to Nissan Extended Services North America’s dealer network.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Industryby StaffMarch 26, 2025

March New-Vehicle Sales Healthy

Despite incentive spending not keeping pace with deliveries volume, consumers make their purchases ahead of tariffs impact.

Read More →
Product & Technologyby StaffMarch 13, 2025

New DOWC Program Debuts

Hybrid solution combines benefits of reinsurance and dealer-owned warranty companies.

Read More →
Dealer OpsJanuary 15, 2025

Carryover Rate Important for Auto Retailers

Understanding how it plays into inventory risk management is an important consideration.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Trainingby StaffJanuary 13, 2025

Dealer Survey Finds Anxieties

Kerrigan Advisors poll shows percentage of retailers expecting lower profits, valuations is on the rise.

Read More →