What is the superstition about honking in tunnels?
Scaring Away SpiritsSome people believe that honking in tunnels is an attempt to scare away lingering spirits or negative energies. This superstition originated from the idea that dark and confined tunnels could harbor spirits or ghosts.
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Along with holding your breath for the sake of the other superstition, some people will also honk right before entering a tunnel. This is to ward off evil spirits or a sign of respect for ghosts that live in the tunnel. Either way, it's distracting to other drivers, and that's a no-no.
Honking may not only be bad for your health, due to stress put on your cardiac system caused by noise pollution (according to Brainfacts), but honking can also lead to collisions that would otherwise not take place.
If for no other reason, the horn can alert those folks to get to safety. either to alert people when they enter the tunnel(like MOW, or trespassers) or in some cases, to be friendly at kids(or railfans) at the tunnel entrance.