Why don't we just...

[Ayahuasca]

post good ideas that would make life go much easier, maybe.

Here is mine:

When traffic lights go green, why don't all the waiting cars move off at the same time, instead of one at a time?

It would be waaay more efficient. When a train stats moving, the carriages all start at the same time, cars should do the same.

Well?

[GroundEffect]

Well the issue is that people generally sit in a queue with a smaller gap to the car in front than in normal driving. This causes the rubber-banding effect...

[jamesson]

Because you can't guarantee the guy in front has seen the light turn green. Do you want to go in to the back of someone for no reason other than the light was green?

[Zwoelf]

Because people are blithering idiots, but yes it would be nice and is doable.

[JonnyFive]

Agreed. Or perhaps the idiot at the front watches the fking lights, rather than realise they've changed, then put the clutch down, put it in gear, miss the gear, put it in gear again and then take the handbrake off whilst trying to find the biting point. By which time, two cars got through.

[0a]

They should make everyone drive an identical car, say an E60 M5 and mandate the use of launch control. This would increase the number of cars that get through each light change.

[DanDC5]

0a said:

They should make everyone drive an identical car, say an E60 M5 and mandate the use of launch control. This would increase the number of cars that get through each light change.

They all have to have Tubi exhausts though, the world would be an amazing sounding place at all times then.

[Zwoelf]

0a said:

They should make everyone drive an identical car, say an E60 M5 and mandate the use of launch control. This would increase the number of cars that get through each light change.

[Volvo360]

People stall.

So it's a (real world) no from me, but it would be nice if it could be done safely.

[RizzoTheRat]

How about when traffic lights go red people stop rather than another 3 cars sneaking though, leading the council to extend the time between one light going red and the next one going green, leading to more people sneaking through on red because the know the gap's longer...

[Fartgalen]

Traffic lights that sense traffic, and are green all the time when nothing's coming the other way. (Which are used in some sensible countries).

[bicycleshorts]

JonnyFive said:

Agreed. Or perhaps the idiot at the front watches the fking lights, rather than realise they've changed, then put the clutch down, put it in gear, miss the gear, put it in gear again and then take the handbrake off whilst trying to find the biting point. By which time, two cars got through.

Sometimes you can actually quote their actions being in the car behind.
"Check mirror"
"Engage clutch"
"Select gear"
"Check mirror"
"Apply accelerator"
"Begin releasing clutch"
"Find biting point"
"Begin release of handbrake"
Light goes back to red

Me:

[Mr Gear]

Countdowns on red lights, so people have the opportunity to engage 1st gear and anticipate the lights changing. If you know you will be held on a red for 30 seconds you could even turn the engine off.

If they can manage it in Mexico, they can manage it here (probably).

[Yiliterate]

Mr Gear said:

Countdowns on red lights, so people have the opportunity to engage 1st gear and anticipate the lights changing. If you know you will be held on a red for 30 seconds you could even turn the engine off.

If they can manage it in Mexico, they can manage it here (probably).

Same in the Dominican Republic; work pretty well from what I've seen.

[JonnyFive]

Mr Gear said:

Countdowns on red lights, so people have the opportunity to engage 1st gear and anticipate the lights changing. If you know you will be held on a red for 30 seconds you could even turn the engine off.

If they can manage it in Mexico, they can manage it here (probably).

It'd be like staging lights at a drag strip.

Brilliant.

[dvance]

Mr Gear said:

Countdowns on red lights, so people have the opportunity to engage 1st gear and anticipate the lights changing. If you know you will be held on a red for 30 seconds you could even turn the engine off.

If they can manage it in Mexico, they can manage it here (probably).

They can even manage it in Bulgaria Also helps cut down on amber gambling -- I hate approaching a traffic light having to wonder if it's going to change as I enter or just before.

[Mr Gear]

JonnyFive said:

It'd be like staging lights at a drag strip.

Brilliant.

Sadly, this is what I think would ruin it.

[ShampooEfficient]

Turning traffic lights off would work for most, if not all of the day.

And people who press the button on a pelican crossing, then cross anyway, should be shot.

[Sam1990]

No matter what set of lights I pull up to I look at the adjacent set to see when that changes, as it's changing I have the car ready to pull away as soon as my light changes (Providing nobody has jumped the red, that is) then I'm off. Quick glance in the mirror and there's always a second or 2 delay in the car behind pulling away as they were caught off guard.

[JonnyFive]

Mr Gear said:

Sadly, this is what I think would ruin it.

Why? Surely thats what the point in them is, so you're ready to pull away..

Sam1990 said:

No matter what set of lights I pull up to I look at the adjacent set to see when that changes, as it's changing I have the car ready to pull away as soon as my light changes (Providing nobody has jumped the red, that is) then I'm off. Quick glance in the mirror and there's always a second or 2 delay in the car behind pulling away as they were caught off guard.

I do exactly the same thing, at night is easier to see the other lights.. But it does help give you a clue when they're going to change.