DriveSmartBC

Would you please discuss the relatively new habit of slowing down, way back from a stop light, potentially blocking access for both the left and the right turn lane...especially where there is an advance green light for a left turn.

I will admit from the start that I am one of those drivers who watch what is going on around me and anticipate what is going to happen at the intersection. If the light is not green with the traffic moving smoothly in front of me I will gear down and try to change my speed as evenly as possible until we are back to speed and flowing freely again. It is something I've watched the truck drivers do over the years and have finally seen the wisdom of.

Driving in this manner reduces the wear and tear on my vehicle. I'm not waiting until the last instant to stand on the brakes and come to a halt increasing the risk of a collision if I misjudge. Neither am I having to always start from a complete stop which reduces my fuel consumption. Lastly, there are no surprises for the drivers around me as they have time to see and adjust to what I am doing.

Yes, I agree, this means that it might take a few seconds longer for other drivers to get to the right or left turn lanes than it would if I was more abrupt. Oddly enough, I sometimes find myself behind another driver that does this and have to remind myself to take a breath and relax. Since I quit driving an emergency vehicle for a living, I have yet to be in a situation where I couldn't spare a few extra seconds out of my day to improve safety and save some fuel.

References:

Driving Emotionally - Dr. Driving