'Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep or just Beep?

According to the Highway Code, your car-horn has just one function; to warn other road-users that you are there. However we all know that, in practice, it is often used as a reprimand to another road-user and it is understood to mean 'where the f**k are you goin. Get out the soddin way'! So often is it used and interpreted in this way that many drivers are inhibited from using the horn appropriately as per the Highway Code. This is potentially dangerous.

It is important to let other road-users know you are there when they may be unsighted or otherwise unaware of your trajectory. If drivers are unwilling to use the horn in these circumstances, a nasty accident may be the result. So, what can be done? Here is my solution.

Always use a short sharp 'beep' rather than a long 'beeeeeep'! I am aware that this is not always easy with some horns. I therefore want to suggest that all cars be fitted with a button on the steering wheel that only enables the driver to sound a short, sharp beep. It could be made more recognizable as an information-signal rather than a reprimand-signal by using a different tone to the one we are used to.

What do you think?