Distance between vehicles at a red light

[MikeInEburg]

...I also hate chargers or anything that is supposed to be an indicator that has a red LED that turns green -- I can't tell the difference -- they should be red and blue.

I TOTALLY agree. We red/green/brown challenged often need another set of eyes with functioning cones for the most simple tasks. The WORST is in software, where the little graphics change color. It would take very little to change one of the colors to blue.

 

[k0ua]

Wonder how many are old enough to even remember the hand signals?:laughing: After the manufacturers started putting turn signals on the new cars we used to sell an after market kit to install turn signals on cars that came without them. I installed a couple of those myself.

I remember it pretty well. Our 65 Ford truck was the first vehicle we had with factory turn signals.

 

[BKBrown]

Reply under quote - I hope this has not been a hijack of the thread.
I believe it is good to leave distance between cars at stop lights or signs.

Shouldn't it be obvious by the placement of the light (red at the top)? I know some lights are foolishly installed sideways, but most are vertical.
Yes, the position does matter, but I don't think in colors and arrow has always meant GO. I have had to learn that there are now red arrows in some places. There are some places where there is only a single flashing yellow or red light (yellow=caution - red=stop then go when safe -- unless there is also a sign I stop to make sure.

Two lights are better than one...
Yes, two lights are better than one, but they are not often labeled witch light is what color and why. Most people don't understand that about 30% of the males are color blind to some degree and most of those are red/green.

Aaron Z

 

[AaronS]

I got stuck behind a vehicle doing 15mph under the speed limit last night with an elderly female driver that made me think of this thread. What it made me realize was this. I at 6'-1" can see the bumper of the car in front of me from much closer than the small elderly lady that has to peek through the steering wheel to see over the dash.

 

[PhysAssist]

I also think how you drive will be determined by where you live. A car length will work in the country; not in Boston or NYC

True dat- one of the reasons I was taking to safe driver's course was to unlearn some of the aggressive habits I had picked up when I lived and worked in the Boston area for over a year. Driving too close, and not waiting for an adequate opening before pulling out were necessary traits there because otherwise you could sit all day at a stop sign or trying to make a left turn, because no one would ever cut you any slack, but here it might get me shot.

 

[Deere Dude]

I am 6' 3" and shrinking, but at a light yesterday I checked and I can see the tire on the car in front and about 10-15' of blacktop in back of it. I feel comfortable there for reasons given.

We also have signal lights over the center of the intersections which gives me fits. I can't see them at all if I drive up to the white line. I usually drive up until I almost lose the line of sight under the roof line of my truck otherwise I am bending forward and cocking my head to see the light. Not a pretty sight. If I had a sunroof that would take care of that problem.

 

[Norm W]

It would seem that many drivers never learned to pull into the intersection when making a left turn. That way when the light turns red you can complete your turn (you are already in the intersection). If you failed to do that on your CDL test you would loose points. Now they sit there for six light changes, with traffic backed up behind them, because the oncoming traffic doesn't have a break in the flow.

 

[almaryholm]

Newer law in Minnesota does not allow vehicle to be in intersection for left turn at traffic light change to amber/red....

It would seem that many drivers never learned to pull into the intersection when making a left turn. That way when the light turns red you can complete your turn (you are already in the intersection). If you failed to do that on your CDL test you would loose points. Now they sit there for six light changes, with traffic backed up behind them, because the oncoming traffic doesn't have a break in the flow.

 

[TomSeller]

Newer law in Minnesota does not allow vehicle to be in intersection for left turn at traffic light change to amber/red....

Does that one car then sit there for six light changes?

 

[almaryholm]

I'm just the responder with info for drivers from other states traveling through MN...maybe MN drivers have more courtesy than other states' drivers, and will slow to leave a gap so you can proceed -or-
don't turn left like the UPS drivers and won't have that traffic problem....

Does that one car then six there for six light changes?