Why are people in such a hurry to get to the red lights?
Discussion
A question that has baffled me for a long time, why are people in such a hurry to get to the red lights? Every time I drive anywhere with traffic lights I plan ahead and if they are red I progressively slow down so that when they go green I am still carrying some speed through them. This seems to infuriate a large portion of the population, including one behind me earlier who pulled out into a different filter lane, roared past, pulled back in right in front of the next car ahead and screeched to a halt for the lights. Their desired technique seems to be to drive up to the red light as quickly as possible, screech to a halt, sit there riding the clutch until it goes green, floor it away and then repeat from step 1. I don't understand this behaviour, are they:
a: blind?
b: stupid?
c: in possession of some some higher knowledge that I am not?
d: other (please state)
It seems fairly obvious to me that moderating your speed in order to avoid stopping is more economical, causes less clutch and brake wear and is ultimately faster as if I pass the lights still rolling I am going faster than someone doing a standing start. The same problem/solution applies to any temporary obstruction, traffic lights, queues, turning cars, pedestrian crossings etc.
a: blind?
b: stupid?
c: in possession of some some higher knowledge that I am not?
d: other (please state)
It seems fairly obvious to me that moderating your speed in order to avoid stopping is more economical, causes less clutch and brake wear and is ultimately faster as if I pass the lights still rolling I am going faster than someone doing a standing start. The same problem/solution applies to any temporary obstruction, traffic lights, queues, turning cars, pedestrian crossings etc.
I tend to try and avoid stopping if possible. It uses less fuel and is better for the car. jmorgan said:
Personally I drive up to the lights then stop, I know how to use a gear box and start from a standstill...... I am one of the ones that does not like the creepers.
Fully agree, bloody idiots who roll forward at walking pace for ages to finally stop at the line really annoy me, i overtake them pull in and stop at the line. Why should they choose how fast i should go, tossersMr GrimNasty said:
I only creep when there's no one near enough to be affected. Used to be taught to only slow on brakes for lights, not to slow/creep using the gears. Some cars are not as relaxed/comfortable crawling, mega torque TDIs it's fine, revvy 4 pot 16v not so nice.
I drive a Clio 182 so I really don't think it's my engine that's the problem, but fair point nonetheless. When you say affected, surely it isn't getting them there any slower (or am I missing a point somewhere)?lesstatt said:
jmorgan said:
Personally I drive up to the lights then stop, I know how to use a gear box and start from a standstill...... I am one of the ones that does not like the creepers.
Fully agree, bloody idiots who roll forward at walking pace for ages to finally stop at the line really annoy me, i overtake them pull in and stop at the line. Why should they choose how fast i should go, tosserslesstatt said:
jmorgan said:
Personally I drive up to the lights then stop, I know how to use a gear box and start from a standstill...... I am one of the ones that does not like the creepers.
Fully agree, bloody idiots who roll forward at walking pace for ages to finally stop at the line really annoy me, i overtake them pull in and stop at the line. Why should they choose how fast i should go, tosserslesstatt said:
Fully agree, bloody idiots who roll forward at walking pace for ages to finally stop at the line really annoy me, i overtake them pull in and stop at the line. Why should they choose how fast i should go, tossers
I believe the OP stated all the benefits to reducing speed gradually and down shifting. I don't see how you can have such a problem with this simple concept.Oh people certainly shouldn't idle long in first, that's very bad for any car. But that's not what the OP is talking about, he's talking about engine braking down through the gears to save fuel.
I tend to drop down through the gears keeping the engine turning over just fast enough that the fuel injection system shuts down (about 2000rpm) until I can't do that, then coast the rest of the way to the lights and stop on the brakes (although if I've timed it right, the coasting and stopping bit shouldn't happen).
I tend to drop down through the gears keeping the engine turning over just fast enough that the fuel injection system shuts down (about 2000rpm) until I can't do that, then coast the rest of the way to the lights and stop on the brakes (although if I've timed it right, the coasting and stopping bit shouldn't happen).
Classic Grad 98 said:
I believe the OP stated all the benefits to reducing speed gradually and down shifting. I don't see how you can have such a problem with this simple concept.
Totally agree with this and what I also put into practise. On a similar note I don't see the point in people speeding up towards a junction. Coming into Aberdeen from the south to the Bridge of Dee roundabout there is a 40mph camera. After the camera a lot of people speed up even though there is only around 40m to the roundabout. What is the point? I usually have people hard up my arse after the camera, even though I'm doing bang on 40. The next time I touch the accelerator is to manoeuvre round the roundabout! 
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