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I have been experimenting a bit whenever I am stuck in the traffic. The goal is not to come to a complete stop. So, in order to do that, I keep long enough gap

I have been experimenting a bit whenever I am stuck in the traffic. The goal is not to come to a complete stop. So, in order to do that, I keep long enough gap in front of me while the traffic is crawling, and keep a low speed such that I do not get too close to the car in front (in which case, I have to come to a complete stop). Just by doing that, the car behind me can also just follow me at the same speed without coming to a complete halt. I just hate sitting still on the highway. This game keeps me entertained while also helping a few cars (if not all) behind me. The best place to see this effect is in a tunnel (say, Holland tunnel, where switching lane is not allowed). Just one car maintaining a low speed with enough space in the front can make the whole lane flowing so easily. I just don't understand people who would accelerate and the brake, and repeat this until they are out of the traffic. Not only you are causing yourself a lot of anguish, you are also not helping others, nor your car.

Afforess 13y ago
>I just don't understand people who would accelerate and the brake, and repeat this until they are out of the traffic. Not only you are causing yourself a lot of anguish, you are also not helping others, nor your car. I don't either. I developed the same strategy as you describe accidently in an effort to conserve fuel. Braking is effectively converting your precious gasoline into heat/sound/wear-on-parts. It's best to never have to break. I realize in practice that's not achievable, but there are many cases where a little foresight can mean just not accelerating and expecting stops earlier, and can give you a ~3-5mpg increase.
enraged_camel 13y ago
>>I just don't understand people who would accelerate and the brake, and repeat this until they are out of the traffic. Not only you are causing yourself a lot of anguish, you are also not helping others, nor your car. Accelerating and braking is also a fantastic way to waste gas.
freework 13y ago
Most people drive using the least amount of attention as possible to the road. The typical person behind the wheel is thinking more about their life's problems than they are thinking about the flow of traffic around them. When I'm driving to a place I've never been before. My attention is mainly on my GPS screen, not the flow of traffic ahead of me. When I'm on my daily commute, I notice the traffic patterns because that drive is boring and there is nothing else to think about when driving.

Afforess 13y ago

>I just don't understand people who would accelerate and the brake, and repeat this until they are out of the traffic. Not only you are causing yourself a lot of anguish, you are also not helping others, nor your car. I don't either. I developed the same strategy as you describe accidently in an effort to conserve fuel. Braking is effectively converting your precious gasoline into heat/sound/wear-on-parts. It's best to never have to break. I realize in practice that's not achievable, but there are many cases where a little foresight can mean just not accelerating and expecting stops earlier, and can give you a ~3-5mpg increase.

enraged_camel 13y ago

>>I just don't understand people who would accelerate and the brake, and repeat this until they are out of the traffic. Not only you are causing yourself a lot of anguish, you are also not helping others, nor your car. Accelerating and braking is also a fantastic way to waste gas.

freework 13y ago

Most people drive using the least amount of attention as possible to the road. The typical person behind the wheel is thinking more about their life's problems than they are thinking about the flow of traffic around them. When I'm driving to a place I've never been before. My attention is mainly on my GPS screen, not the flow of traffic ahead of me. When I'm on my daily commute, I notice the traffic patterns because that drive is boring and there is nothing else to think about when driving.