Have you noticed people not pulling up to stoplights?

[underpants]

I heard this a few months ago and hadn't noticed it.
I notice it now. I see people all the time sitting back 20 or so feet from where the lead car normally would be at a stoplight.

It's not that they are gunning it at the green they just sit back.

Have you noticed this?
If you have, any idea why?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. No.

[sinkingfeeling]

2. Here it seems to be they're afraid of cars making left hand turns which

are more like arches. They begin their 'turn' before they ever get to the intersection and arc across two or three lanes.

[aikoaiko]

4. That's why I do it. To protect against left turners.

[RKP5637]

28. Same here! n/t

[Hortensis]

59. Lol. Really? I didn't know this. I'm from LA, and that'd earn anyone a pack of honks.

But LA roads are crowded, and basic manners require helping others also get through the intersection. Probably much less traffic where this goes on.

Big cities are different. I remember one time crawling in commuter traffic for a long time up to an intersection where two major boulevards came together, at a pass through the Hollywood Hills from the LA basin to the San Fernando Valley. I was in the left-turn lane, car #5 behind the pedestrian lines, cars inand front of it packed bumper-to-bumper to the middle of the intersection waiting to turn, so probably about car #10.

What made this situation different from many others was that on the other side at the front of the right-turn lane is a cop, so I'm speculating: is #10 turning -- after the green has worn out and changed to red, forcing very heavy traffic entering the intersection from the other direction to halt -- pushing it too far? Traffic's behind me's backed up at least 2 blocks; does he want me to go? I went for it, the last left-turner passing directly across his front fender, and it turned out to be the latter. Never gave me a glance.

Which is why I chuckled at this thread. Pretty funny.

[madokie]

3. I do it just in case an asshole loose control

and causes a wreck. That'll be a 20 ft or so buffer I wouldn't have if I pulled all the way up

I stop well back from the train tracks too and for the same reason.

[JHB]

5. Ticketing cameras?

I haven't noticed it, but if you have, there's your most likely "why". People wanting to avoid the chance of getting a ticket on technically entering an intersection at a red.

[Thor_MN]

26. Ticketing cameras were banned in my state. Nothing to do with running a red light,

People stop 15-20 feet further back than they are supposed to, for no apparent reason. Sometimes they creep up to the correct spot as the cross traffic passes, sometimes not.

My best guess is they are screwing around with their phones, or are scared that their foot will slip off the brake. In either case, I consider them to be inattentive drivers and watch out for them to do something stupid.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. I see it quite regularly and I think it's so bizarre.

But I understand about the left-turners coming at them at an angle. Sometimes those folks cut corners and then the folks waiting for the green light could be hit.

But still...20 feet? That seems a bit much.

[underpants]

13. I used 20 feet because it's usually more than two car lengths

Cars tend to be about 8 feet long.

I'm not getting the left turn thing. These are mostly at two lane city intersections with left hand turn lanes.

[SonofDonald]

25. Cars 8 feet long?

Maybe one of those smart cars, my 91 dodge full size long bed pickup is 19 feet long.

Not trying to be a jerk but a normal old style VW bug has to be around 10-11 feet long.

[underpants]

31. It was a guess.

[yonder]

29. standard parking stall: 9' x 20' (where I live)

I don't get the left turn thing either and can't say I've noticed the hang back at stoplights

[FSogol]

7. They need more time to check text messages and update their Facebook status.

[rzemanfl]

9. Best answer! n/t

[underpants]

17. I've observed them and I don't see that

I will say that they seem distracted. Literally staring straight forward.

[demtenjeep]

8. the left turn makes sense but the first thing I thought of was guns

I know many people who don't want their windows aligned with others.

I know that I used to be one that made gestures to dumb drivers but I do not anymore-never know who has a gun

[Runningdawg]

58. Same here

I drive in the R hand lane especially on surface streets as much as possible and leave at least a car length when stopped behind a car so if the SHTF I have a quick way off the road. And I try to never be level with another car in traffic. This isn't new, I pulled up on a drive by at a red light in OKC in 1990. I was damned lucky to have a way out and I learned my lesson. My father taught me as a child not to pull up even with anyone in traffic, keep your doors locked and your windows up enough no one can reach through them or easily toss an object through them. Apparently he learned his lesson on the streets of Tulsa sometime in the 1940's.

[NCjack]

10. Trucks turning left, with rookie drivers. nt

[Stallion]

11. Too Many Distracted Drivers With Mobile Internet

I was sitting behind another car at a red light turn lane as I saw a car rapidly approaching my car at 40 mph. I had nowhere to go and got hit by car doing at least 30--AT A RED LIGHT. Luckily I wasn't hurt but I anticipate distracted drivers now and only creep up after I see the car behind me slow down

[underpants]

16. 2 years ago I had to take a driving course on a Saturday

Stupid speeding ticket.

The whole focus of the class was distracted drivers. There was coverage of basic driving but it was clear that the VDOT curriculum focused on distraction.

[Ezior]

56. Happens to the "driverless" google car all the time

They want to cross a street, or just wait at a red light, and slow down, then maybe sit there for a few seconds. Then someone hits them.

According to the monthly reports they release about accidents.

[central scrutinizer]

12. Not a good idea here

Many intersections are controlled by induction coils in the street. If you aren't on top of it, the light will never change.

[underpants]

14. Yes. The plate.

That's another factor.

[TexasTowelie]

15. In a sense it appears to impede the flow of traffic which should be a violation.

I can understand leaving some distance, but it could also cause another vehicle not to get through the traffic signal.

[defacto7]

18. Yep, many times.

I figure thay are on their cell phones and don't want it on cam. It happens in all lanes though so I don’t think the idea is usually safety. One or two car lengths. Sometimes they're behind another car too.

[LisaM]

19. I've seen Uber drivers do it.

They just stop and look at their app.

[Sailor65x1]

20. Height

Municipalities all over are raising/installing traffic lights higher than in the past. People who want to crane less will sit back farther.

[ornotna]

22. I have seen it happen as well

That's as good an explanation as any.

[liberal N proud]

21. I thought it was just an idiotic Ohio thing

The problem when they do this comes at lights that are activated by the presence of a vehicle. If you don’t pull up far enough to activate the sensor, you can sit there a long time, holding up all those behind you.

[frazzled]

24. Well, honk

and keep honking. You're supposed to pull up to the painted line.

Haven't noticed it here. There's too damn much traffic. People would jump out and beat you if you did that.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

30. My biggest pet peeve is people who don't pull in to the intersection when turning left.

You pull up to the turn point and wait for an opening. Not wait for an opening and then pull up. Or worse yet, just wait for the light to change and fuck the people behind you.

I got somebody good a couple years ago. Some douche was pulling that trick so I honked and then went around him on the right when he stayed put. He tried to do the same thing on my left just as the light turned yellow, blew past me and almost hit a turning cop car. On went the lights and I drove off whistling.

[we can do it]

39. Lots of those idiotic drivers in Ohio.

[ecstatic]

23. Left turners, and I'm short, so I can't see the white line

in many cases. Better to be behind it than in front of it.

Edited to add: I don't do it when waiting for the left turn arrow (because of the sensor issue).

[Turbineguy]

27. Are they still turning on

their blinkers to indicate they will run the red light?

I prefer not to get cultural shock and social disorientation.

[Greywing]

32. City cameras on many lights in my city ...

If you are too close or in to the pedestrian walk way they'll issue a ticket you receive by mail with a photograph of your car with license plate clearly showing.

[customerserviceguy]

33. Two reasons

One, they want to be able to view the light at a comfortable angle while waiting for it to change.

Two, they're texting at stoplights (which is still technically "driving&quot and don't want to be hit if they creep forward a few feet while distracted. In fact, you can see the same thing in cars other than the lead vehicles at almost any stoplight. I call it "the texter's gap". It usually provides a signal as to where I can probably cut in if I picked the wrong lane at the stop light.

[Nay]

36. This could certainly be one more recent reason for doing this, but I've lived in VA

for 25 years and I saw people doing this waaaaay before cell phones.

[customerserviceguy]

38. Then, my first reason was probably true before recent times

I keep my seat rather high, and I hate having to duck under the sun visors (even when they're not in use) to see a traffic light. And some people seem to be incapable of making a left turn at a right angle, they feel the need to curve into it, no matter how much space the intersection affords them. There's a lot of sloppy lazy driving out there.

[BadgerKid]

34. Drivers overall are seeming more likely to run lights or too lazy to signal turns.

As another poster said, drivers could be playing with a phone while steering, so I'd be tempted to say they have no hand free to flip the turn signal lever.

[Nay]

35. They also stop 2 or 3 carlengths behind other cars. It's as if they can't really see

where they are. The ones in front are mystifying, though -- you wanna yell, "Hey, why not pull up NEXT to the car in the lane next to you??"

[underpants]

43. Yes I see that too

Seeing the bottom of the tires of the car in front is recommended but as you've seen they are way further back.

[susanna]

37. I live in an industrial area...

urban, tight corners, blocked visibility in some cases to cross streets. A lot of the semi trucks have BIG turning arcs, left and right. They could easily take off the front of your car if you are right at the line. So I do what you describe, but only at intersections where I know it is likely to be an issue.

[Iggo]

49. This.

I work in the City Of Commerce, California, just outside Los Angeles. Old roads meet modern traffic. I see it every day where there's a lot of trucks and a tight intersection or a weird angle (intersections that are right next to or even include freeway underpasses.) Sometimes the waiting left turner has to back up to let a right-turning truck coming from his left make his turn. Where 48-footers used to be the norm, I think 54-footers are more prevalent now. And those streets from the '30s and '40s ain't gettin' any wider. (I know DUer Tobin used to drive out here sometimes. He can tell you all what it's like.)

[susanna]

61. Sorry I missed this earlier, Iggo...

But you are right - 54' footer semis are the norm now. I am a road-tripper and I pay attention. Those things have a hell of a time turning in old-timey streets/urban areas, and so I hang back where I know they are because of it.

[Jane Austin]

40. Cataracts?

I had no idea how bad my depth perception was until I got rid of my cataracts.

[davsand]

41. I always try to stop far enough back to see the rear tires in front of me.

It's a defensive thing. That way you have room to maneuver if you have to. I usually pull up to about four or five feet behind a stop line. Again, that is defensive so that there is enough room between you and the crosswalk if you have to move. Similarly, I NEVER pull up to a railroad crossing gate. If you ever see a train derail--even at low speed--you know how far those cars tumble.

A lot of the security folks will tell you that the places where you have to stop your car, are the places where you are vulnerable. ALWAYS leave room to drive your car out if you need to.

Is this what you are observing?


Laura

[underpants]

42. Yes seeing the bottom of the tires of the car in front is recommended

No I'm seeing them waaay back. Both the front car sitting back as well as large gaps in line.

[Iggo]

44. No, but I see people who are on their phones leave a car length in front of them.

They're not fooling anyone.

[CentralMass]

45. I've noticed this happenning out here in Oregon.. a few weeks ago

After sitting behind a car in front of me at an intersection for about 10 minutes I calmy got out of my car and spoke with the driver in front of me. I pointed out the induction loop in the pavement in front of her and told that she needed to pull up to trigger the light change.

I don"t ever recall having the problem back in MA. Massholes don't need no stinkin stop lights.

[underpants]

47. LOL

That's what I've heard about Mass.

[ksoze]

46. Texting

[JoeStuckInOH]

48. I usually stop about 10-15 FT from the line if I'm the first car.

Then I can observe the other lights and crossing signals - it's quite easy to predict down to the second when my light will turn green again. That way I can begin accelerating forward and driving while the light is still red and by the time I cross the line to the intersection, the light is just turning green and I'm already doing 10mph. All the other slowpoke cars that waited for the light to turn green haven't even started to move forward.

It's much faster and not at all illegal.

Of course, at traffic actuated lights that require me to be at the line before they change then I have to pull all the way forward.

[a kennedy]

50. and not only that......how bout just NOT stopping......no one stops anymore......

they all do that slllllllooooowwww down maneuver but never stop.

[underpants]

54. Richmond is notorious for running red lights

and merging - lots of merging.
Every person I've talked not a "born here" remarks in the merging.

A few years ago I made a left hand turn at a stop sign in our neighborhood right in front of a county cop. Dumb move on my part. The lights came on. The officer walked up to the car and I'm trying to be friendly, she's not having any of it. "That wasn't even CLOSE to a California role" she said waving her hands in front of her. She let me go with a warning. I think she was ending a shift. My wife and daughter still make fun of me about that.

[samnsara]

51. i do it all the time because i got tired of backing up....

...when a giant truck needed to make a left turn

[MineralMan]

52. Here in Minnesota, there are two reasons:

First, nobody in Minnesota ever, ever makes a decent left turn from one road onto another. They ALL cut the corner, instead of making a good square turn. Truly. Nobody, but nobody makes a proper left turn here.

Second, many left turn lanes in the state actually have the induction vehicle detection coil where a second car in the lane will trigger it. How that works is that if there are two cars in the left turn lane, the left turn arrow will go green to let left turners go before through traffic. If there's only one car, it won't, and you'll have to wait until opposing traffic has a gap before turning left. If you stop so part of your car is over that induction loop, you'll get a green arrow and be able to make your turn ahead of the green light for through traffic.

They're very clever with that practice on busy arterial streets, and stopping back of the line will get you a green arrow.

[Corvo Bianco]

53. I have noticed this, thanks for saying something!

And I do it too now because I just figured this is how we're driving these days.

[CrispyQ]

55. Most of the traffic lights in my area, especially left turn lanes, have pressure plates.

If a car is too far back, it won't trigger the left turn arrow. You can see where the plates are in the pavement. I've had to honk at people as we sit trough a second round of red.

[underpants]

57. Actually the cars I've seen are not in the turn lane

They are going straight ahead.

[Ms. Toad]

60. Around here, it is typically to avoid the beggars on the corners.

Some of them are pretty aggressive, so the lead car tends to stop a ways back to avoid the cardboard sign in the window - or worse (aggressive movement toward the car, swearing, etc.). Or even just the uncomfortable situation of being face-to-face with a stranger begging for money a few feet from your window for the duration of the stop light.

I've had them come up to my car, peer in the windows, and ask for something they see in it.