Gaps between Stationary Cars Stopped at Traffic Lights

Moi Too on 22/12/2024 - 10:19
Last edited 22/12/2024 - 12:55 by 1 other user

What the hell is this new phenomenon? Whenever I pull up at the lights, I stop on the broad white line, which is painted on the road for just that purpose. But now I see so many people stopping a couple of metres back from that line, and then having further to go when the lights turn green, thus holding up the car behind them, (even if only slightly).

I suspect this is because there are so many INCOMPETENT and INEXPERIENCED drivers around today, who have no idea of the physics of their vehicle, and how much space it occupies. They simply can't tell where the front of their car is, so they stop metres away from stop lines and stop signs etc., "just in case". Apart from it causing excessive spreading-out of the traffic, with flow-on effects further back, it's also a dead give-away that the driver is unskilled and unfamiliar with vehicle usage on public roads, and thus a risk.

But even worse than this weirdness, there are the folks who always pull up A FULL CAR LENGTH behind the car in front, at stop lights! What?! I just do not get that. I see it every day, everywhere. Why do they do it?

Is it because they were told by the driving instructor that one must always stay at least a car's length behind the car in front, or at least 3 second's behind it? And did they take that literally, and didn't understand that it only applies WHEN TRAFFIC IS ACTUALLY MOVING, not when it's stationary… smh….

I won't even try to get my head around this trend of everybody REVERSING into car parks spots. I've had a chat about that elsewhere, and the reasons they gave were so senseless I couldn't bother.

Automotive

Comments

  • tomlikesbeetroot on 24/12/2024 - 14:25

    I was with you right up until that last sentence.
    Reversing is a vastly safer and more time efficient method compared to forward parking, if you can't understand this then it shows your own lack of understanding of vehicle physics.

    Reverse parking is mandated within the mining industry for this reason.

    https://rse.org.au/reverse-parking-the-safer-way-to-go/

  • Seaeagles on 24/12/2024 - 14:52

    I always get close to the white line if I'm the front car but if I'm in a queue I leave enough gap to get around the car in front if I have too. Over the years there have been times something has happened ahead of me and if there wasn't enough of a gap I would be stuck until others in front move.

    Reverse parking I have always done since I got my licence over 30 years ago, my current car has a camera but I don't really use it while parking.
    I have driven emergency response vehicles and we were told always reverse park, not only is it safer but if you need to leave somewhere in a hurry its saves time.

    I don't understand why any of this annoys you, I don't care if others park nose or tail first as it has zero effect on me.
    I always get in first attempt and use my blinker and start swinging to line up to show my intensions
    When I see someone leave a large gap in a queue I don't really care, I might think that gap is a bit excessive but that's the only thought that comes to my mind and prefer that over someone who sits way to close to the rear of my car.

  • Golazo on 24/12/2024 - 15:40

    But even worse than this weirdness, there are the folks who always pull up A FULL CAR LENGTH behind the car in front, at stop lights! What?! I just do not get that. I see it every day, everywhere. Why do they do it?

    What purpose does it serve to get right up the ass of the car in front when stopped at a red light?

    What purpose does it serve to roll forward when the car in front rolled forward, even though the light is still red?

  • Moi Too on 24/12/2024 - 16:08
    -1

    Well, that's it. I'm done. I found out what I wanted to know.

    To all the folk who commented in a civil, polite manner, with reasonable and informed observations, and respectful courtesy, I thank you.

    To all the folk who, in defending their driving preferences, chose to scoff, insult, mock and deride me, and question my sanity and/or mental health, I thank you also.

    Because you confirmed my suspicion that the drivers who are annoying me on the road, are also the people who are the worst kind of RickyGervaises on net forums.

    And no surprises there.

    Finis.

    • CurlCurl on 24/12/2024 - 18:01
      +2

      Just like my 5 year old grandson the chucks a sissy fit when he doesn't get his own way.

      If you haven't noticed ib your how many years on this planet, everyone is different and praise the lord, not all like you.

      BTW, Are you a Pom?

      • Moi Too on 24/12/2024 - 18:03
        -1

        What part of "I'm done" are you having trouble with, Sunshine? Maybe I can help you.

        Or is it just that, as you've mentioned already, you don't know when to stop? LOL!!!!!!!!!

        • CurlCurl on 24/12/2024 - 18:30
          +1

          What part of "I'm done" are you having trouble with

          No trouble what so ever Princess. It seems to be you having trouble with it.

          • Moi Too on 24/12/2024 - 18:58

            @CurlCurl: Yep, I'm having trouble with you, not knowing when to stop.

            Mate, the conversation is over. Understood?.

            • CurlCurl on 24/12/2024 - 20:14

              @Moi Too: .я не розумію

            • airtime on 24/12/2024 - 20:40
              +1

              @Moi Too: The one redeeming feature of your whole thread is this 'ending'; gave me a good chuckle.

        • kaleidoscope on 25/12/2024 - 08:41
          +1

          What part of "I'm done" are you having trouble with, Sunshine? Maybe I can help you.

          Which part of the post did you forget this is internet and it never stops? Either you close the thread or it will go on forever =)

  • FlyOnTheWall on 24/12/2024 - 16:54
    +1

    My front wheel drive car has trouble with traction on the paint especially in the wet so a bit of a gap to the line is beneficial. Having a bigger gap to a car in-font can let you move when the car in front moves with less of a need to wait for a safe distance you can do a slower rolling start. It is however all probably just psychological and makes little to no difference to how many cars get through the lights.

    I do however agree that there are some big gaps but this is only an issue if people are backed up to another intersection.

  • doctordv8 on 24/12/2024 - 21:48

    They all say the say thing about your driving.

  • Pufff on 24/12/2024 - 22:57

    Whatever road issue anyone comes up with i defy them to give an example worse than the people who see you heading towards them and are so eager to pull out of a drive way or enter a round about they use full acceleration to get ahead of you only to then drive at about 40 in a 60 zone on a single lane road for the next 10 mins.

  • Pussqunt on 25/12/2024 - 01:10

    Cars have changed.

    Crash structures and crumple zones moved the driver back significantly.

    Round bonnets make it hard to see the corners.

    Many SUV's side profile are basically raised hatches, creating a larger blind spot in front.

    With out a front camera, or wasting time learning exactly where the fount of the car you're driving is, modern car design makes it very hard to stop acutely before a line.

    • bobwokeup on 31/12/2024 - 17:50

      Cars have changed but positively in that they stop quicker, cameras alert you to being too close, most cars have no blind spots for traffic as it is all captured in the mirror (along with lights when in your blind spot).

      Crash structures are irrelevant for this conversation as OP mentioned cars stopped so far back from lines (or other cars), which is ridiculous and shows how stupid people are now.

      • Pussqunt on 01/01/2025 - 21:57

        Sure. You win.

        • bobwokeup on 02/01/2025 - 12:29

          It’s common sense that is lacking in drivers now.

  • haemolysis on 25/12/2024 - 02:26
    +1

    If you encounter a traffic nuisance, I would consider: is it long enough that I have to phone ahead and tell someone I’m going to be running a bit late? Was the delay longer than it’s going to take me to stop my car, send a text message? If it’s only a few seconds, and not crossing that threshold.. well, maybe… just maybe… it’s actually not worth dwelling on.

    Maybe you should take a breath and have a moment of zen. Or you could dwell on it all day, come home and write posts online about it. Let it fester, spoil your mood. Become a grump.

    Remember, this kind of stress is a choice.

  • Raj09 on 25/12/2024 - 11:10
    +1

    We got the grinch

  • badg3rz on 25/12/2024 - 16:16

    I'm going to guess you haven't done a advanced driving course. I suggest you do just for this reason alone, also, take a chill pill, who cares, people change lanes thinking they are race cars, only to be next to them 1 or 2 traffic lights ahead

  • Nucleus Acumbens on 26/12/2024 - 20:08
    +1

    I can't tell if this is First World Problems or the aftermath of Covid spacing.

    • bobwokeup on 31/12/2024 - 17:47

      Soooooooo good!!!

  • brad1-8tsi on 27/12/2024 - 09:05
    +1

    I've noticed this. Stopped so far back from the white line they aren't triggering the sensors.

  • Ramrunner on 27/12/2024 - 17:14
    +1

    You almost had me until this gem:

    "I won't even try to get my head around this trend of everybody REVERSING into car parks spots. I've had a chat about that elsewhere, and the reasons they gave were so senseless I couldn't bother."

    Sorry man, can't take anything you say seriously after that one.

  • Moi Too on 31/12/2024 - 15:55
    -3

    Well, I'd had enough of this thread and I wasn't going to add anything more.

    But something I just saw today is so deliciously absurd, I just have to share it.

    I was at an underground car park, and I had parked in one of the bays. I was loading my groceries into the boot, when I noticed a 4 WD come slowly down the lane, and begin to turn into a vacant bay just up from me. The bay was completely empty, not even a scrap of paper on the ground, and nobody in the adjoining cars. I thought, Well, that's good to see somebody having the good sense to just drive in to a bay that's very obviously wide open and safe. It would have been a doddle, and taken him 5 seconds.

    But he hesitated, and I thought he must have seen some small obstacle in the bay, and I expected that he'd maybe jump out and remove it, and then continue in. But several seconds passed, and he was still there.

    Then, to my amazement, he began to reverse, backing slowly and very cautiously into a different vacant bay on the opposite side of the lane…. That bay was an especially difficult one, because it had a large car parked in the adjoining bay, and it had an actual pillar right on the boundary on the other side! I never use those bays when I go there, because of the pillars. It was a very difficult park, but that didn't daunt our dimwitted hero. He persevered, moving forward and backward a couple of times, till he finally got in. Meanwhile, of course, I noticed another car was stuck behind him, waiting for him to get it right..

    I must admit I probably looked a sight, standing there with my mouth hanging open, in awe and astonishment at the absurdity of it all. But, you know that feeling you get when you witness somebody do something so utterly stupid that you can hardly believe it?

    Anyway, folks, have a happy new year. Cheers.

    • spackbace on 02/01/2025 - 17:51
      +2

      I never use those bays when I go there, because of the pillars.

      Sooo… what you're saying is you can't park well?

      • Moi Too on 02/01/2025 - 18:06
        -1

        Yes, yes, that's what I'm saying. That's exactly and precisely what I'm saying. You picked it. Well done, you. I avoid risky obstacles in difficult parking bays because… wait for it… I can't park well. Yep, got it in one. How clever you are.

        smh………………..

        • spackbace on 02/01/2025 - 18:09
          +1

          I thought you were done with this thread?

          • Moi Too on 02/01/2025 - 18:13
            -1

            @spackbace: Yes, I thought so, too.

            But there you go. Life is strange. Silly people keep doing silly things, and pulling me back in! :)

            • bobwokeup on 03/01/2025 - 13:53
              +1

              @Moi Too: Unfortunately, we can’t help silly people and it’s getting worse and worse!!!! One day a car so far back from the car in front so I decided to have a laugh and pull into the gap, it was hilarious…

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