Email inbox flooded about drivers failing to pull forward
Q
Here’s why some drivers stop far behind cars ahead ofthematred lights.
They are incompetent, or they fear aggressive, oft-speeding corner cutters making left turn.
You can try the old trick I use where ride up to a loop segment, get out my keys, and wave them back and forth a few times across it (the loop segment).
If that fails, you get ahead of and to the side of the vehicle, where you would stop, and motion to the driver to come forward.
Point at the detector or at the signal (I have done both), if you want.
But that also is done less now, given less likelihood it will be understood. — Dave Simpson
A
This issue overheated my inbox. Traffic experts recommend stopping far enough behind so that you can see the rear tires of the car ahead.
But I would not recommend holding your keys outside the window. Now to others.
Q
Here’s why I give a lot of space between myself and the vehicle in front of me at stoplights: I need some extra room in case some bubblehead behind me thinks their cellphone is more important than paying attention to traffic.
I don’t want to get rear-ended by some idiot whose life is defined by how much time they spend on their phone.
So I slow down coming up to traffic signals as a means of signalling to the driver behind me that it’s time to put your phone down and pay atte . — Mark C.
A
Some drivers do automatically yank out their cellphones while waiting at red lights, which is illegal.
Q
I agree with drivers upset by those at stoplights leaving 10, 15 or even 20 feet between cars.
Doing so is ridiculous. Not only do they not trigger the sensors, but they can disrupt turning traffic. Cars spaced waaaaaay out can easily block the left-turn lane access for following cars.
—JeffCoffey, Mountain View
A
So many others agree with you.
Q
If I’m in the first car, I’ll go right up to the line to activate the sensor.
If there are any vehicles in front of me, I’ll leave a slight gap (about half a car length) to give me leeway if I think I’m going to get rear-ended.
Then I can start rolling as soon as the light turns green, even if the car in front hasn’t started rolling yet. If everyone did the same, more vehicles would get through on each cycle. — Emmon Gormely, Campbell
A
Emmon gets today’s final word on this raging debate.
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