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Driving...Approaching Traffic Lights
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A few weeks ago my son passed his driving test. For the time being he is going to use the family car and we have been out with him mainly because it’s a larger car and making sure he is use to it before he goes out by himself. We have found that when he approaches traffic lights he travels up to the car in front in 4th gear then suddenly brakes. He said he has been taught this way. I have been driving over 30 yrs and I think it has become instinctive to change down into 3rd or even 2nd gear and stopped gently especially if you can see the cars have stopped.
I have commented that he is approaching lights to fast and that if he should at least change down to third gear to at least slow him down.
Also when he comes to a junction, he stops, puts it into 1st gear then if necessary puts the hand brake on. When he first started in our car he started to roll back because he wasn’t quick enough to change into first gear but he is getting better but I still think he should apply the handbrake more. So what is it first? Handbrake or change gear then handbrake? Now I’ve been out with him I even get confused myself explaining it to him!
Travelling in the back of the car with him I found at the traffic lights we came to a sudden halt when I am sure he should be coasting up to the lights more gently especially when cars are waiting at the lights,
My husband said he sometimes stops at the lights in 4th gear but I consider this only if the cars have come to a sudden halt. I know going over traffic lights it should be in 3rd gear but I find this way of driving a bit unnerving.
I have thought he must have been doing it correctly to pass his test but at the moment it has become our family discussion!
Are learners taught a different way now or have I picked up my own habits over the years, I would like to say I have fortunately only ever been involved in a minor accident which wasn’t my fault so I’d like to think I have been doing something right!
Any advise would be appreciated, are you learning to drive at the moment and are you being taught this way?
I have commented that he is approaching lights to fast and that if he should at least change down to third gear to at least slow him down.
Also when he comes to a junction, he stops, puts it into 1st gear then if necessary puts the hand brake on. When he first started in our car he started to roll back because he wasn’t quick enough to change into first gear but he is getting better but I still think he should apply the handbrake more. So what is it first? Handbrake or change gear then handbrake? Now I’ve been out with him I even get confused myself explaining it to him!
Travelling in the back of the car with him I found at the traffic lights we came to a sudden halt when I am sure he should be coasting up to the lights more gently especially when cars are waiting at the lights,
My husband said he sometimes stops at the lights in 4th gear but I consider this only if the cars have come to a sudden halt. I know going over traffic lights it should be in 3rd gear but I find this way of driving a bit unnerving.
I have thought he must have been doing it correctly to pass his test but at the moment it has become our family discussion!
Are learners taught a different way now or have I picked up my own habits over the years, I would like to say I have fortunately only ever been involved in a minor accident which wasn’t my fault so I’d like to think I have been doing something right!
Any advise would be appreciated, are you learning to drive at the moment and are you being taught this way?
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Comments
I do still tend to change down much of the time, simply because quite often it means you don't have to stop or use the brakes at all as the car has slowed down sufficiently before the lights change or a space becomes clear to enter the roundabout.
And I'd rather approach traffic lights/a roundabout etc gently rather than coming to a sudden halt!
Not sure if I've been any help here, sorry.
Maybe new cars might be capable of this kind of driving but my car is 12 yrs old and it must be a bit of a shock for it!
Would it consume more petrol driving like this?
Through time, I've learned to read the road, look at the traffic lights situation and gauge for myself what to do - slow down or continue at same speed.
At junctions I was taught brake, handbrake, gear, release handbrake, move off. I often skipped the handbrake part, as it was an extra thing to remember.
8 years now, my parents have said I'm a good driver, but I'm still not allowed behind the wheel of their car!!
The correct way to brake to a halt is to do it progressively. Start with a gentle pressure and increase progressively then as the vehicle slows down gradually release the pressure so that when you come to a halt you are barely touching the pedal (unless on a hill when you need to keep some brake pressure on to avoid rolling off). Get it right and you can come to a halt smoothly, rather than have everyone in the car thrown forward when stopping.
And it should be handbrake first to make the vehicle secure before you faff about doing anything else. That way if your foot slips off the clutch you don't end up rear ending the car in front.
And why do you say you should go over lights in 3rd? You select the gear based on the speed and road conditions. If that means 4th is appropriate then why do an unnecessary gear change?
I appreciate all the replies posted here, I will pass these postings onto my son when my son next times goes out in my car!
I'd brake to the speed I need to be at then choose a gear and go. If that is coming to a complete stop, I'd brake in whatever gear I was in, dipping the clutch when the speed is too slow for that gear.
I'd imagine it did less wear to the transmission as when you're using the gears to slow the clutch and syncromesh will be taking any mismatch between road and engine speed.
My 1980s technology 20 year old car seems happy enough with this, though the brakes compared to modern cars are terrible. Maybe that's why using gears to slow was more popular in the past? Whenever I drive anything modern like my parents' Colt I nearly go through the windscreen the first few times I brake!
I was taught this was last year
Engine braking was useful when brakes were rubbish, but with modern disc brakes it really isn't necessary to use the engine. I suspect that they're taught to stay in higher gear and roll up to the car in front for reasons of fuel efficiency. I always stay in fourth and let the car slow itself, then brake to a stop. :cool:
Did I read the original post wrongly, or has he been taught to continue at circa 30 until he's almost upon the back of the car in front, then hit the brakes? To my mind, that's nuts! What if the brakes were to fail?:eek:
My experience is that people do full speed up to your back then slam on, leaving a Rizla's width between their car and yours.
My heart is often in my mouth looking in the rear view mirror :eek:
Probably not, if you're taught to drive without going down the gears when coming to a stop then you should be able to judge the distance needed to stop. I agree with the other poster they are just rubbish!
I always aim to drive everywhere without needing my brakes and I usually manage it as long as the traffic isn't too heavy even though I drive an auto with a torque converter(*). If traffic is very heavy it's best to avoid the technique because less knowledgeable drivers get irate at the gaps you're leaving and are tempted to do stupid things.
(*)Means less engine braking. No matter what speed I'm doing I only ever get the braking a manual would give in top gear.
the reason behind using the brakes to slow and not the gears is to show your brake lights allowing other motorists you are slowing, using gears to slow will not activate the brake lights.
why do you think not that not using your brakes to slow you down and stop will get you through a driving test? Brake lights do have a purpose especially in the dark.
I've had a few moments like that recently.
I was taught to drive in the early 2000s and similarly to Andrue's driving method, my instructor favoured lifting off the throttle early, which is something I've continued to do. My instructor used to make jokes about 'premature braking' as I remember. He made a good point though.
One of my work colleagues learned to drive about five years after me and was evidently taught the 'new' way - maintain speed, or even accelerate towards a red light or stationary car and slam the brakes on at the last second. Being a passenger when he's driving is a genuinely terrifying experience.