Slowing Too Soon For The Intersection?

I absolutely agree with you on this. I really don’t understand why an extra few minutes delay is such a big deal especially when you consider that most crashes occur at intersections.

Having driven safely well over 1 million miles in trucks, I tend to drive a car in a similar fashion because it safely works.

I think of this coast to a stop, or coast to the physical point of traffic resuming to move As a fundamental good practice And it is the most frugal way to get from A to B (plus, I grew up where it snows in the winter)

As opposed to those who don’t demonstrate variable effect foot pedals They just use an accelerate fast and brake hard on/off switch Much to their possible inevitable risk And worse,  to their hazard to others

A side note if I may I learned early on “never drive for the person behind you" If you increased speed,  even safely,  to accommodate a driver behind And you were involved in something,  as a result or not I suspect the prior following driver  would not be of much support

I was a driving instructor for 6 years, retiring in 2006.

We always instructed our students which included new drivers, re-instruction to drivers recovering from a medical condition (usually stroke or brain injury) and elderly drivers for a variety of reasons. Use of a rear view mirror was a primary habit and was used for decision making.

When making decision we taught to consider things such as your own speed, speed of of following vehicle(s), space between you and following vehicle(s), road conditions and your safe escape route in an emergency.

At times it did seem like a lot to keep track of at times but a couple of times in the 6 years my students (beginers) avoiding potentially life threatening crashes from the rear. In one instance on a very icy road my student was able to escape out of the path of a large speeding truck that was unable to stop as we approached a red light at a busy intersection. The truck, probably about a 5 ton slid right through the intersection without a collision.

Talk about a teachable moment!

I'm with you that slowing down progressively can be a good thing but it can be extremely frustrating when multiple drivers leave more space than required (like two car lengths) between them and the car in front of them at a red light signed:  missed the left turn advance again.

I drive a Dodge truck, with 5 speed electronic gear shift.

I look at traffic, half a block at least ahead if I can, as well as vehicles, in front and behind. Situational awareness.

If the light, is red, turns red at that distance, I always start gearing down. If the light is still red when I get to the intersection, I have an easy stop, to make. I believe this is easier on the brakes, and less chance of hitting the vehicle in front of me.

I guess, left over from driving standard, to leave enough room, in front, to allow a vehicle to role back a bit. Also, the old truck drivers adage, use the same gear going down a hill, as is required to go up a hill, preventing runaways, and the need to ride your breaks. And you can stop if you have to.

I shudder when I see people, who race to a red light, then stand on the brakes. I always wonder if this is what was taught in driving schools.

All automatic transmissions have more than one gear forward, so why are students not taught how to use them.

As for saving a few seconds, what is the time difference between being alive, or being dead.

I tend to gear down or use the E-brake on our Prius to slow down gradually on a yellow or red light and sometimes a stale green if (like at Nanaimo) there is traffic piling up.

The interesting part is even when the light turns green and traffic starts to move, rarely do I need to hit the accelerator to catch up. I do notice a lot of drivers go by me if another lane is available and accelerate right up to the point where they need to firmly brake for the light.

Now I’m trying to train my spouse not to accelerate all the way to a stop sign or light and then brake hard. That seems to be a bigger challenge to help her adjust her driving without provoking a tiff. Lol

It’s paying attention, looking all around, anticipating the sequence of lights and more. If more people paid attention like this (to the signs as well) we would have more respectful driving, in my opinion).

It’s about a more relaxed drive, a safer drive, a more environmentally friendly drive (especially when you do not floor the accelerator once the lifts change), and as you rightly say, IF the people behind you used their turn signals, you would allow for this so they could pass and not be held up.

I agree with your comment about truckers slowing before an intersection. It gives us a chance to assess the intersection with what’s going on with vehicles and pedestrians in but also approaching it. The economic factors you mentioned and shifting gears come into play. From a full stop, we may have to pick up 10, 13, 15 or 18 gears to get to full speed

Having driven professionally most of my career for a few different companies, couldn't agree more. Over the years I learned (something everyday) from others, and just plain observation. The more I observed and tried to anticipate the other driver (and pedestrians) the more I avoided potential incidents.

Having said that, I can't help thinking, if more training and driver education (mandatory in my case) improved my chances of avoiding  a MVA, maybe the frequency of our system of driver training and 'retesting' might reduce the number of incidents on our roadways. Not to mention deaths and injuries.