Stopping two car-lengths behind at a stop light

[ckissick]

I see this all the time. People leave one or two car lengths in front of their car. I think it's stupid. But my daughter was taught to do this in driver training. In case you get rear-ended. While this makes sense and is probably a good idea, I still think it's stupid. In 50 years of driving, I've never been rear ended at a stop light. I prefer to take my chances and not live in fear. Although, I do use a rope while rock climbing.

[Baz]

The people who do that are the same ones who stop with the front of their vehicle past the wide white "stop line", block side streets while stopped for a light, and/or drive 5-10 under the limit but run through amber turning to red traffic lights.

It's all the same mentality.....

[pwd72s]

Hmmm, maybe you're lucky...I was hit when stopped at a light a few years ago. Doesn't happen often, but it happens...(edit) The perp was a cute young blonde in a Jeep, said her foot slipped...wasn't a hard bump, no damage...so, after a checkup at a dealersip assuring no structual damage, I told her to forget it. Guess I'm a sucker for a well filled pair of jeans...I did get witness info from the guy behind her, though...so I had things covered.

[wildthing]

Two car lengths is a lot, especially on roads with sensors that detect if there's a line forming in that lane and adjusts the traffic light signals.

I personally get close, maybe half a car length or even less.

I do see some drivers stop too far from the line, and therefore not triggering the sensors.

[masraum]

I remember from driver's ed that we were taught to leave a large gap (1 or 2 cars, can't remember which) in front of us at stops. I don't know exactly how far back I am, but it's not that far. But I also see folks in trucks that appear to stop only 3-4' back from the car ahead and that also doesn't seem like a good idea.

THere are also folks that stop 1-2 cars back from the stop line, and that's irritating as hell, because that means that the sensors aren't getting tripped which can affect how the lights cycle.

I've also not been hit while sitting still, but I know that it happens. And I'm not sure that stopping further back is going to help me not get hit. I think all that's going to do is potentially save the car ahead if I'm not hit hard enough to be shoved into the next car.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by classic

I see this all the time. People leave one or two car lengths in front of their car.

Welcome to Florida. It's especially annoying when they stop way back and block access to the adjacent turn lane. These people are also prone to driving 20mph under the speed limit, failing to use the center turn median, turning onto cross streets at walking speeds, and hollering at others when they're the ones making grievous driving errors.

[oldE]

In town with slow traffic I will stop about one car length behind the vehicle ahead until the vehicle behind is observed to be under control and will stop appropriately. If there is a stop light or traffic control on a route with higher speeds, I will probably give myself three vehicle lengths to allow room to escape or reduce the chances of being the filling in an automotive sandwich.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by ckissick

In 50 years of driving, I've never been rear ended at a stop light.

I've been rear ended at stop lights three times since 2003 (when I moved out of the city) and once - by a cab, so that doesn't even count - in the city.

Four if you count the time when the car behind was rear ended and pushed into me hard enough to damage both their front and my rear.

I don't leave that much space, but I do watch my rear mirror. A lot.

[NY65912]

I was taught always be able to see the car ahead's license plate at minimum. I leave about 8' as I was also taught in case you get hit from the rear you won't hit the car in front of yours.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Dixie

Welcome to Florida. It's especially annoying when they stop way back and block access to the adjacent turn lane. These people are also prone to driving 20mph under the speed limit, failing to use the center turn median, turning onto cross streets at walking speeds, and hollering at others when they're the ones making grievous driving errors.

they honed their skills in new york before moving down there...

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by Alan A

they honed their skills in new york before moving down there...

My theory is it's old people with no depth perception anymore.

[MMiller]

Leave enough room so your not pinned in... two lengths is way too much but being able to see the cars rear tires in front of you is about right. Too much crap goes on in traffic these days and if I need to remove myself from a situation I don't want to have to back up first.

[Por_sha911]

When I see a car in the other lane (going in my direction) stopped way to far in advance, I look at its usually a blue hair granny or, someone checking their cell phone.
Along those lines, when I pass a car going very slow and the other driver is looking down at their phone I lay on the horn for a split second (not just a polite beep). They look up shocked and look around to see what happened. If ever challenged, I would truthfully state I was worried that the distracted driver might have veered into my lane. Hey, pay attention

[stevej37]

If you're at the front at the light in the left lane and a semi-truck from the side street wants to turn into the lane going your opposite direction....better to leave some room.

Many times I've seen drivers having to back up so that the semi driver can clear the turn.

.

[Zeke]

This asserts you are going to keep your eye on the rear mirror. Once another pulls up behind you might as well go ahead to the line. Sometimes they will just sit where they stopped initially giving you even more protection.

I always wondered what would happen if you saw you were going to be rear ended and lifted off the brake. You're still gonna get hit most times.

Originally Posted by stevej37

If you're at the front at the light in the left lane and a semi-truck from the side street wants to turn into the lane going your opposite direction....better to leave some room.

Many times I've seen drivers having to back up so that the semi driver can clear the turn.

.

I always leave room if I see a rig coming.

[lindbhr]

My drivers ed taught that you should be able to see the rear tires of the car in front of you make contact with the ground. I think this is about a half car length.

[Baz]

I try to get as close to their back bumper as possible without touching it...

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Baz

I try to get as close to their back bumper as possible without touching it...

Perfect!

ROFLMAO!

[DonDavis]

Oh, more discussion about the lack of Driver Training beyond Teenage Driver’s Ed.

Hmm, lemme think.

When stopping at a light, put your vision line over your/hood/windshield right where the car’s tires in front of you meet the pavement.
That gives plenty of room to get away and prevent gridlock, but it’s close enough to not draw attention.

And yes, during an impending rear collision, lift brake, throw in neutral, release steering wheel and enjoy the ride. That sounds like a lot, but I practice it fairly regularly.

While sitting at a light, I’m trying to watch for the unexpected. Not kidding. I’m always looking around.

[John Rogers]

I see this in the San Diego area all the time and if I check the driver, 99.9% of the time it is a driver from Tijuana/Tecate/Ensenada as they don't have CA car insurance. Many, many years ago they had to have it but the state got sued for "Racial Profiling" or as we say here....picking on the hispanics!
No more insurance requirements BUT we have to have Mexican auto insurance if we go the Guarge Los Ponchos in Tijuana, humm!
John Rogers the oldracer