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I did a defensive driving course a couple of years ago. They recommended leaving a gap whereby you can see the rear tyres of the car on front. It allows you to take evasive action if needed. Reckon on average that's half a car length.
But really, are we realy that impatient these days that something like this causes stress. No need to reply. I know the answer.
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Originally Posted by CraigE
Have these supposed driving instructors never heard about the traffic conjestion and the rising cost of fuel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boofla
If the drivers can't estimate the space in front of their car and the threshold to leave a normal space, perhaps they don't have the skills to be driving!
In my recent experience some of the driving instructors are the worst at ignoring the road rules.
yes you get taught to leave a car space. In case of a crash or breakdown then you can get out.
If I didnt leave at least a car space I would have failed my Ps test.
Then its O.K not to sit on the magnetic loop and make everyone wait and wait and wait until the lights go into a mandatory cycle.
There's a simple solution, we'll make all the traffic lights further apart so we can accommodate the traffic tail backs, then well be able to add lots more housing into the spaces between intersections.
This all sounds like solving a problem that wasn't there. An idea dreamed up by a public servant who walks to the train station and has never driven in their life. They must have gone to the same college as the road designers who think cars make 90 degree turns like in the movie Tron.
Harold Scruby are you there, I can see your hands in this?Actually it's very dependent upon the design of the vehicle, if you're in an older HiLux its likely well over a car length. I don't mind half a car length thats fine, but on my way to and from work each day I have to pass numerous intersections where the lights require a car trigger the magnetic loop otherwise it takes about 3 cycles before it gives a mandatory green to the side road. Then the cycle only alows about 3 cars through on the green, a couple of these park a football field behind the threshold/car in front people and it can be 5-10 minutes getting through the one intersection while theres only light traffic on the crossroad.Quote:
Originally Posted by davidsonsm
Leaving enough of a gap to pull around the car in front I can totally understand, that's what I usually do. I've seen too many cars roll backwards on an incline to do otherwise. But when it's a whole car length or more, I can't understand that, and the "leave a big gap then shuffle forwards" I understand even less.Quote:
Originally Posted by Landy Smurf
Quote:
Originally Posted by Landy Smurf
Yes, RTA (name changed in Sept 2011 but they are taking no notice and won't change their name to RMS) driving test officers will fail an applicant on this "requirement" - would like to see if it is in anything published - have not time to look for it a second time.....
Bob
Not if you are stationary.. I know because it happened to me and the car that hit me was liable for my damage, the car I hit in front and the car I hit to the side (as I was hit so hard my car bounced off the car in front and then into the opposite lane where I was again bounced into another car).Quote:
Originally Posted by CraigE
Yep, stop so as you can see where the rear tyres of the vehicle in front touch the road. It's just good practice and is taught by any decent driving instructor.
It's not only about safety in case of a rear-ender; but also so that if the car in front fails to move off for some reason, you have room to get around them without having to reverse first.
It's called common sense mostly ;)
The way I was taught (And I also would have failed my test had I not done it) was to leave a car length between you and the car in front until two or three cars pull up behind you, then you can slowly move forward.
Seems no-one is interested in it these days, its all about getting to where you want a whole 5 seconds faster and being a sanctimonious ****** if someone prevents you from doing that...
EDIT
But if you're the first car then I see no reason as to why it should occur...
If you're the first car at the lights there is no one in front of you to break down or turn right, and if you're not on the magnetic loop you're likely to be sitting there for much longer than you need to be.Quote:
Originally Posted by Treads
Anyone who can't move around another car in half a car length shouldn't be driving. Its only a metre for parking.