Reverse lights: how would you react?

[Kodak]

Oh yeah, I wasn't questioning the usefulness of the horn in situations where you anticipate danger - just noting that the message is not always received by the other driver.

Interesting link about determining percentages.

[FXSTi]

When I was driving semi trucks, I was taught not to stop so close that you can't see where the tires touch the road on the car in front of you. In most cases this should give the idiot in front of you time to realize their error.

Kirk

[cfg83]

Kirk -

I like that rule. I am going to apply it and see how it goes.

CarloSW2

[Old Mechanic]

LOL, of course if you coast properly to the light the potential for this situation is drastically reduced.

regards
Mech

[ps2fixer]

Originally Posted by FXSTi

When I was driving semi trucks, I was taught not to stop so close that you can't see where the tires touch the road on the car in front of you. In most cases this should give the idiot in front of you time to realize their error.

Kirk

My driving instructor was the same way! He said to stop where the car's tires apeared to sit on your hood but no closer. I have not ran into any issue with someone backing up excpet to give a semi room for a left turn, which most people should be able to see and give way.

[slowmover]

Originally Posted by FXSTi

When I was driving semi trucks, I was taught not to stop so close that you can't see where the tires touch the road on the car in front of you. In most cases this should give the idiot in front of you time to realize their error.

Kirk

Same here about learning to drive any vehicle. If everyone did this we could all depart the light at the same moment. It means even more if someone rear ends you. Saved me once that did.

[larrybuck]

I would just hope for a different lane, or I would pull to right shoulder if possible; would try to abort a left turn lane scene as the odds are not too friendly. But life often is not too perfect.
As in the garbage truck story, there should be adequate evidence of which veh. was crusher/crushee.

In summary, don't trust anybody! On a motorcycle, you could be dead; fast!

I have a close relative who at 86, powerbrakes the snot out of vehicles, and when backing out of normal spaces in parking lots, takes so long back and forth, only half
knowing what directional gear, or neutral position their tranny is in at any given moment, that they are honked at by other elderly patients who simply want to pass through the parking lot of a nationally known insurance based medical clinic!

It's a real trip to ride w such a person!

Be on guard! There's no lack of weirdness out there!!!

[capnbass91]

Slam on the horn and yeah, I was taught that same thing about seeing the bottoms of the tires when I was in driving school.

But why would someone be in reverse at a stop light? I could see neutral, and even park if you turn the engine off, but reverse? Unless it was a mistake, like they thought they were in N but were in R and weren't paying attention.... which sounds like something half the drivers around here (SoCal) would do.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by FXSTi

When I was driving semi trucks, I was taught not to stop so close that you can't see where the tires touch the road on the car in front of you. In most cases this should give the idiot in front of you time to realize their error.

Kirk

The most sensible choice - always leave a gap when stopped or moving. It gives the idiot in front, behind or to the side - and the idiot that is us behind the wheel - time to make a mistake and either react to it or correct it.

Defensive driving - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[mnmarcus]

i've made that mistake in my 6 speed pontiac vibe (toyota matrix). Reverse is just to the left of first and has an irritating beep. Funny the beep didn't register to me, I just stopped as soon as the car started moving the wrong direction.