Imagine driving down the road and having a car inch over in your direction. It comes so close, you're pretty sure it's going to hit your side without its driver even realizing you're there. You try to stay calm. Your hand reaches for the horn, but it's not there. There's nothing you can do to prevent the collision. Now, you can see the importance of an automobile horn.



In general, a car horn is a standard piece of safety equipment for a number of reasons. The No. 1 reason, of course, is to let others on the road know you're there. They also are great for alerting people off the road of your presence and signaling distress. For these reasons, car horns are considered required pieces of equipment in most areas.

Unfortunately, in some areas drivers have over used them to the point they're considered air pollution, but the automobile horn is actually a vital piece of safety equipment. It has a lot of practical uses that can actually save lives, but those who over use them, give them a bad name. When they're properly used, car horns are not only important pieces of safety equipment; they can also be a fun addition to a car.

Car horns from the factory are generally pretty basic in sound, but that doesn't mean an owner can't customize their beep while still ensuring the horn serves its more important purposes. There are lots of choices that reflect personal style while still getting their point across.

Those who like to tweak out their vehicles with custom everything, generally overlook the horn. This doesn't need to be the case. Horns can be customized without sacrificing the basic purposes they serve.

When it comes to customizing car horns, the choices are many, they include:

* Air horns. These are generally much louder than average car horns. They are not typically necessary for most vehicles, but they make it perfectly clear there's something in the other lane.

* Musical horns. There are custom car horns that can be added to most vehicles that play familiar notes from favorite songs. These can be a little distracting to some drivers, but they still get their points across. Whether it's "Dixie" or a more modern tune like "On the Road Again," these horns are fun for their owners while still serving the purpose of letting others know there's a vehicle in the next lane.

* Other sounds. Horns for cars come in an array of tones. From loud and bold to softer, but crystal clear, these are great for adding a custom touch while not losing the important features car horns have.

Custom car horn kits are available for just about any make and model vehicle. There are even add ons that can be used in addition to standard factory horns. The choices are many and what to get is really up to a driver. As long as the horn retains its important safety features, just about anything goes. Do remember, however, that horns should not be so loud as to scare other drivers out of their skins.