How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Read the FAQ and still not sure about something? Want to shift faster? Post here.
User avatar
theholycow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 16021
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:36 pm
Cars: '80 Buick LeSabre 4.1 5MT
Location: Glocester, RI
Contact:

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by theholycow »

bk7794 wrote:One lady beeped at me..so to piss her off more I slowed down and when she tried to weave around me I accelerated so she would could not move. Seriously if you were in such a rush you would have passed me before and blown the light.
:lol: Got what she deserved.

I'll never understand the mentality...not the least bit afraid of a $300 speeding ticket, a $350 aggressive driving ticket, or an $85 tailgating ticket, but a legal pass or an $85 illegal pass ticket is something they would NEVER even THINK of risking -- until the worst possible time to pass, then a reckless driving arrest becomes a reasonable risk.

I saw it happen this morning. I was in a line of vehicles following a large truck that was operating at a decent speed. The road is rated 40-50mph (40 near traffic lights, 50 on stretches between them). On this road 50 is a downright pleasant speed, 40 being acceptable. At least 60% of its length is nice easy legal passing zones. The SUV behind the big truck ignored the easy legal passing opportunities. Then, just before there was about to be a climbing lane the SUV swerves into the oncoming lane IN AN INTERSECTION, WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

I normally advocate passing, even illegally (but safely), as the preferable alternative to miles of tailgating...but maybe it's too complicated and I should stop wondering why people don't do it.
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
User avatar
Shadow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3384
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:51 am
Location: New York

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by Shadow »

theholycow wrote:
:lol: Got what she deserved.

I'll never understand the mentality...not the least bit afraid of a $300 speeding ticket, a $350 aggressive driving ticket, or an $85 tailgating ticket, but a legal pass or an $85 illegal pass ticket is something they would NEVER even THINK of risking -- until the worst possible time to pass, then a reckless driving arrest becomes a reasonable risk.
And I'll never understand the mentality of people who go out of their way to "punish" others on the road. I think that's one of the most immature things a driver can do on the road. If someone is tailgating me or otherwise acting in an aggressive manner, I'd never speed up in an attempt to block them from passing me. What's the point in that? To piss the other driver off even more and create an even more dangerous situation for everyone?
Image
User avatar
AHTOXA
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 14693
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 6:31 pm
Cars: '19 4RUNNER TRD ORP
Location: Irving, TX

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by AHTOXA »

It's an action that acts as an outlet for your emotion and is a himan reaction. Right wrong or indifferent.
'19 Toyota 4Runner TRD ORP
'12 Suzuki V-Strom 650
User avatar
Shadow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3384
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:51 am
Location: New York

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by Shadow »

AHTOXA wrote:It's an action that acts as an outlet for your emotion and is a himan reaction. Right wrong or indifferent.
True. It's also immature and does nothing to resolve the potential for conflict on the road. If someone wants to act like an aggressive a-hole on the road, then there's no sense in me acting the same way. Doing so just makes me an aggressive a-hole too. That's all I'm saying.
Image
User avatar
FDSpirit
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 6157
Joined: Sun Mar 22, 2009 8:23 pm
Cars: 2000 Honda Civic Si
Location: Troy/Albany, NY
Contact:

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by FDSpirit »

I've had people just gun it and ride my bumper during a shift. I just don't get it. It doesn't happen nearly as much as when I started, but some people are just jerks regardless. I had one guy start throwing his arms up in frustration. Yes. It would have made such a huge difference because the guy in front of me is driving the speed limit. I love the mentality that, "Hey if I ride this guy's ass, the guy in front of him will speed up!". I keep a good enough distance. Don't know what, but I'd guess enough so I don't have to slam my brakes in case of an emergency stop.
2000 Honda Civic Si- Slightly faster than your grandmomma's grocery getter......slightly.
User avatar
theholycow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 16021
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:36 pm
Cars: '80 Buick LeSabre 4.1 5MT
Location: Glocester, RI
Contact:

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by theholycow »

AHTOXA wrote:It's an action that acts as an outlet for your emotion and is a himan reaction. Right wrong or indifferent.
The right:
- Trying to induce passing (slowing down so they will pass and everybody can get on with their life; the bully learns that it's easier just to pass, and passes sooner next time)
- Negative reinforcement (not giving them what they want, so they won't learn that bullying is effective)

The wrong:
- Positive reinforcement (speeding up or pulling off the road, encouraging them to bully more; it becomes a vicious cycle)

The indifferent:
- Some people have the ability to completely ignore others on the road no matter how little space the others give, as if blind or completely unthinking and unfeeling. Sometimes I wish I was such a person.

Edit: It really works. There are a couple stretches where I used to get more tailgating, where now I get passed more often instead. Everybody's happier.
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
User avatar
Tups
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 2229
Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 4:37 am
Location: Suomi Finland Perkele

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by Tups »

Around here people often forget that they are in a car while waiting at the lights. After the light has turned green, the person in the first car wakes up and begins looking for the first gear. When he manages to get the car moving, the person in the second car realizes that it's his turn, and begins looking for the first gear. When he gets moving, the light turns red and most drivers begin daydreaming again.

Anyway, I often start rolling when the light turns green if I'm second or third, meaning that if the car in front of me launches before I have to brake again, I'll follow pretty close until we pick up enough speed. I know I'm an ass, but it's not rocket science to look at the traffic lights and shift to gear on red-yellow and then wait for the car in front of yours to launch...

Also, some people should really re-take the driving classes about economical and environmentally friendly driving. Accelerating slowly increases your overall fuel consumption, not the mention that of the poor chap in the old Ford who has to brake because you can't keep up with his 69 hp with your brand new turbodiesel.
2007 Ford Focus ST225
1982 Ford Escort Mk3
User avatar
Shadow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3384
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:51 am
Location: New York

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by Shadow »

On the suject of tailgating:

Nobody likes to have someone riding their rear bumper, that much is true. But it doesn't seem to bother me nearly as much as it bothers most people. If I look in my mirror and see someone tailgating me, I usually won't do anything different. The way I see it, as long as I don't have to suddenly panic stop, there's nothing to worry about with the guy behind me. And if I do have to stop suddenly, then it's up to him to avoid hitting me. So I'll just keep driving normally. If the tailgater has the opportunity to pass and does so, then that's great. If not, then he can just stay there all day as far as I'm concerned. I'm not going to speed up, slow down, or try to block him from getting ahead of me. I don't let other drivers have that kind of control over me. I leave them two choices--pass me when they get a chance, or stay behind me and drive the speed that I'm driving. And for what it's worth, like most people, I generally drive slightly over the speed limit. So it's not like I'm a little old lady clogging up traffic or anything. :lol:
Image
User avatar
theholycow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 16021
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:36 pm
Cars: '80 Buick LeSabre 4.1 5MT
Location: Glocester, RI
Contact:

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by theholycow »

Tups wrote:Around here people often forget that they are in a car while waiting at the lights. After the light has turned green, the person in the first car wakes up and begins looking for the first gear. When he manages to get the car moving, the person in the second car realizes that it's his turn, and begins looking for the first gear. When he gets moving, the light turns red and most drivers begin daydreaming again.
Lame.
Also, some people should really re-take the driving classes about economical and environmentally friendly driving. Accelerating slowly increases your overall fuel consumption, not the mention that of the poor chap in the old Ford who has to brake because you can't keep up with his 69 hp with your brand new turbodiesel.
Agreed, but it differs by car. When I had the VW it accelerated most efficiently somewhat faster than most of the drivers on my commute. They accelerate glacially slow, get up to speeds that are always illegal and often unsafe, then don't lay off the go-pedal until the last possible moment before they have to stop and slam on their brakes.
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
User avatar
bk7794
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 1561
Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:16 am
Cars: 00 Civic (Stock)
Location: Central CT

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by bk7794 »

Shadow wrote:
theholycow wrote:
:lol: Got what she deserved.

I'll never understand the mentality...not the least bit afraid of a $300 speeding ticket, a $350 aggressive driving ticket, or an $85 tailgating ticket, but a legal pass or an $85 illegal pass ticket is something they would NEVER even THINK of risking -- until the worst possible time to pass, then a reckless driving arrest becomes a reasonable risk.
And I'll never understand the mentality of people who go out of their way to "punish" others on the road. I think that's one of the most immature things a driver can do on the road. If someone is tailgating me or otherwise acting in an aggressive manner, I'd never speed up in an attempt to block them from passing me. What's the point in that? To piss the other driver off even more and create an even more dangerous situation for everyone?
Yes that situation might have been immature for me to do but so is buzzing me to get into the lane with fewer cars. I passed her going uphill...Then she had a good amount of time to pass me before I put my brakes on for the yellow light...

Also slowing down to let them go could actually produce an even more dangerous situation because lets say you slow down too much and as they are speeding up to pass you they could potentially hit you.

That is a good way to look at it though. I think I am going to stop doing that.
2004 Honda Accord 2.4 5 Speed
1989 Ford Taurus SHO 5 speed
User avatar
Tups
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 2229
Joined: Sun May 03, 2009 4:37 am
Location: Suomi Finland Perkele

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by Tups »

theholycow wrote:Agreed, but it differs by car.
Perhaps, but the rule of thumb is that brisk acceleration to target speed is better than slow and dragging launch. Of course it does not mean flooring the throttle and redlining on every gear, but I guess it just refers to using your car's full potential on whatever revs you are supposed to use in normal driving.

Anyway, that's what they teach in the driving school and I generally stick to that. It's also much more fun than accelerating slowly...
2007 Ford Focus ST225
1982 Ford Escort Mk3
User avatar
theholycow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 16021
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:36 pm
Cars: '80 Buick LeSabre 4.1 5MT
Location: Glocester, RI
Contact:

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by theholycow »

Tups wrote:
theholycow wrote:Agreed, but it differs by car.
Perhaps, but the rule of thumb is that brisk acceleration to target speed is better than slow and dragging launch. Of course it does not mean flooring the throttle and redlining on every gear, but I guess it just refers to using your car's full potential on whatever revs you are supposed to use in normal driving.

Anyway, that's what they teach in the driving school and I generally stick to that. It's also much more fun than accelerating slowly...
Ah. I think I misunderstood you before. It seemed like you were saying to accelerate slower than that. The way you say it here matches my experience with the most efficient acceleration.
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT

Put your car in your sig!

Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
User avatar
Shadow
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3384
Joined: Fri Jan 21, 2011 8:51 am
Location: New York

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by Shadow »

bk7794 wrote: Yes that situation might have been immature for me to do but so is buzzing me to get into the lane with fewer cars. I passed her going uphill...Then she had a good amount of time to pass me before I put my brakes on for the yellow light...

Also slowing down to let them go could actually produce an even more dangerous situation because lets say you slow down too much and as they are speeding up to pass you they could potentially hit you.

That is a good way to look at it though. I think I am going to stop doing that.
I wasn't talking about anyone specifically...I was just generalizing. I see stuff like that happen all the time on the roads. And sometimes it leads to road rage. People do stupid things all the time. The quicker those bonehead drivers are away from me, the better.
Image
User avatar
Squint
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3390
Joined: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:44 pm
Location: KY

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by Squint »

Shadow wrote:
bk7794 wrote:People do stupid things all the time. The quicker those bonehead drivers are away from me, the better.
That pretty much sums it up for me. Do I occasionally intentionally block an idiot? Guilty. Most of the time I just shake my head and hope there's a cop who sees them driving like a moron.
'15 Mazda 3 iSport Hatch 6MT
'11 Ford Fiesta Hatchback SE 5MT
'14 Giant Escape City 24MT
'97 Honda Civic EX 4AT - Retired @ 184,001 mi

For Pony!
tankinbeans
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 4029
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2011 9:04 pm
Cars: 17 Mazda6 To, 18 Mazda3 i
Location: Shakopee, MN

Re: How close do you follow after taking off from a light?

Post by tankinbeans »

theholycow wrote:The right:
- Trying to induce passing (slowing down so they will pass and everybody can get on with their life; the bully learns that it's easier just to pass, and passes sooner next time)
I've done this, partly out of spite I'll admit, but mostly because I'm not about to risk a speeding ticket because somebody else has a bug up their...boot. One time I was being tailgated by a teenage girl in mommy's Acura full of other teenage doorknobs. She was tailgating and I finally got annoyed and just took my foot off the gas. It took slowing down to 35 mph before she got honked at for going too slowly and took the hint to move over and get off my bumper.

I'm trying to learn the art of zen and not give a flying f--- at a rolling donut, but it's hard. Mostly I want my insurance to be as low as it can possibly be because wasting a ton of money due to impatience is not a fun thing.

Regarding acceleration and fuel savings, I think most people are very confused (myself included - reading about short-shifting, WOT, low rpm/high rpm, skip shifting will do that to anybody). I generally shift at 2500 so I can get up to speed and can make the most of my torques without too much noise, but I think most people tend to believe that if their RPM goes above 2200 their engine will blow up, especially annoying on an entrance ramp.
17 Mazda6 Touring
18 Mazda3 iSport
InlinePaul wrote:The driving force of new fangled features to sell more cars [is to] cater to the masses' abject laziness!
Image
Post Reply