Handling traffic lights at a high rate of speed

[Z064life]

This isn't an advanced driving question, but it seems as if the driving questions are best placed in here.

I am a fairly experienced driver (been driving 2 1/2 years now, and on all roads on my own - A roads, M roads, etc).

The one thing I think I lack a little confidence on is handling traffic lights - mainly on fast A roads. Where I live, there are roads with a speed limit of 50mph but also traffic lights.

When approaching these, should I slow down and perhaps hover my foot over the brake pedal? The key I feel is to prepare to stop, which means to slow down slightly.

Also, I seem to struggle in working out if I have enough distance to stop. This isn't a problem at everyday speeds (20-30 mph), but it is at 50-60. Some say the instinct to know this comes with experience, but isn't 2 1/2 years more than enough time?

What is the remedy for these "fears"?

Thanks

[7db]

Find a quiet NSL back-end road somewhere and practice stopping from 60mph. Don't sweat the time. I'm pretty sure I couldn't drive ten years after I passed my test.

[Z064life]

7db said:

Find a quiet NSL back-end road somewhere and practice stopping from 60mph. Don't sweat the time. I'm pretty sure I couldn't drive ten years after I passed my test.

Unfortunately, it is very difficult for me to find a long stretch of empty road to practise this.

Not even an empty car park is adequate.

[Romanymagic]

I would say that you should be driving at a speed you feel confident at, regardless of the maximum speed limit for the road you are driving along. If you are not confident that you are able to approach a set of traffic lights and stop, then you should be driving at a speed you are confident. Out of interest what is the car you drive? Reason I ask is maybe it comes down to confidence of the vehicle you drive. For example I am used to driving heavy, big brake BMW's, when you press the brake peddle you feel confident in your ability to stop. I have also driven family and friend's TVR's and again feel confident, however driving my daughter's old Astra left me feeling rather nervous as the brakes didn't feel capable given the car, just a thought!

[Z064life]

Romanymagic said:

I would say that you should be driving at a speed you feel confident at, regardless of the maximum speed limit for the road you are driving along. If you are not confident that you are able to approach a set of traffic lights and stop, then you should be driving at a speed you are confident. Out of interest what is the car you drive? Reason I ask is maybe it comes down to confidence of the vehicle you drive. For example I am used to driving heavy, big brake BMW's, when you press the brake peddle you feel confident in your ability to stop. I have also driven family and friend's TVR's and again feel confident, however driving my daughter's old Astra left me feeling rather nervous as the brakes didn't feel capable given the car, just a thought!

As I am only 22, I have the sense to realise I am not ready for a fast car. Hence, I drive my parents Golf (1.9 TDI Mkiv). Of course, I understand confidence in yourself and the car matters a lot.

But I do feel that not knowing exactly how much room is needed is a bit of a bottleneck for me. There are consistent guidelines for braking distances on the internet, but this may be with soft braking. In reality, one can brake hard and pose no danger to the car behind you. The brakes on the Golf are good enough for the car, though. It's always been me and how I apply the brakes which is the problem.

As I drive on two M roads everyday when I go to work, my reactions have improved a great deal (also due to generally having more driving experience). I think I really do just need some more practise dealing with traffic lights at a high rate of speed to be comfortable like any other driver. I may only need to stop at the edge of the safe distance threshold only once a month, but I may screw up when doing it often?

Thanks

[7db]

Z064life said:

Unfortunately, it is very difficult for me to find a long stretch of empty road to practise this.

Where do you live?!

[Z064life]

7db said:

Z064life said:

Unfortunately, it is very difficult for me to find a long stretch of empty road to practise this.

Where do you live?!

West London.

[7db]

Me too.

You have plenty of options. There are several fast dual carriageways that are often very empty (although I wouldn't do stops there unless I had to).

Within 30mins drive out on the M4 you can have access to a lot of quiet NSL back-roads.

[Z064life]

7db said:

Me too.

You have plenty of options. There are several fast dual carriageways that are often very empty (although I wouldn't do stops there unless I had to).

Within 30mins drive out on the M4 you can have access to a lot of quiet NSL back-roads.

Hmm I will look into this. Any good driving tips though?

[crisisjez]

Try and practice on the same stretch of road. Pick a marker and brake firmly but gently (ie not an emergency stop) down to a stop. Try and mark that point then go back and do it again. This time as you approach you original brake point you should be able to see your stop point. You can see as you approach how much distance you need to perform a normal ` bugger the lights have changed` stop.
repeat as many times as you like and eventually you will be able to calculate your brake point without real thought.

[7db]

Z064life said:

Hmm I will look into this. Any good driving tips though?

Yes.

Drive with someone good. Listen to what they have to say, even though you won't necessarily like it.

[Sheriff JWPepper]

crisisjez said:

You can see as you approach how much distance you need to perform a normal ` bugger the lights have changed` stop.

Green traffic lights are only ever going turn to amber then red, ease off as you approach and anticpate the change, then there won't be any oh bugger moments.

[crisisjez]

Sheriff JWPepper said:

crisisjez said:

You can see as you approach how much distance you need to perform a normal ` bugger the lights have changed` stop.

Green traffic lights are only ever going turn to amber then red, ease off as you approach and anticpate the change, then there won't be any oh bugger moments.

Yes, I`m quite aware of the sequence of traffic light`s, you will note I say lights have changed, not changed to red.
Thinking `obtlhc` has absolutely no bearing on your capability to stop in time, and I am most confident that you too have had that thought whilst hoping the lights would hold for you. It does not preclude you from driving in such a manner that should they change you have not planned to stop, and I don`t see anything in my post that suggests the opposite, which is what I think you are inferring. (Probably wrong)
This lad is worried about stopping in time, I bet every time he is faced with this situation he thinks `oh bugger`, was just trying to help him associate......

Edited by crisisjez on Sunday 1st March 23:21

Edited by crisisjez on Sunday 1st March 23:23

[Sheriff JWPepper]

My point was for the OP but I quoted you as you raised the surprise element of traffic lights.

[7mike]

crisisjez said:

Sheriff JWPepper said:

crisisjez said:

You can see as you approach how much distance you need to perform a normal ` bugger the lights have changed` stop.

Green traffic lights are only ever going turn to amber then red, ease off as you approach and anticpate the change, then there won't be any oh bugger moments.

Yes, I`m quite aware of the sequence of traffic light`s, you will note I say lights have changed, not changed to red.
Thinking `obtlhc` has absolutely no bearing on your capability to stop in time, and I am most confident that you too have had that thought whilst hoping the lights would hold for you. It does not preclude you from driving in such a manner that should they change you have not planned to stop, and I don`t see anything in my post that suggests the opposite, which is what I think you are inferring. (Probably wrong)
This lad is worried about stopping in time, I bet every time he is faced with this situation he thinks `oh bugger`, was just trying to help him associate......

Edited by crisisjez on Sunday 1st March 23:21

Edited by crisisjez on Sunday 1st March 23:23

Having driven coaches full of school kids, there is no option for a 'oh bugger, the lights have changed' moment. If the light ahead is green as it becomes visible to me then it'll probably be red when I get there. Conversely, thinking a bit eco & avoiding giving some plank an opportunity to park in the rear end, if the light ahead is red I back off & try to arrive when it’s green. It doesn't take too long to get a feel for the light sequences at junctions you use regularly & this should further aid forward planning.

[jaf01uk]

Set yourself a st or bust line, that is a distance from the light based on stopping distance/speed that you could stop if you needed to and use that as your guide. If you have passed the point when the light changes you just stay on the gas and drive through, if it changes before you get to the point you check your mirrors and stop. This does away with the hesitation or "riverdance audition" on the pedals, will I? will I not? Oh damn!
Gary

[7db]

Also worth noting that if you're driving a lot in West London these are increasing sets of light with a speed/red light camera which will catch you if you can't stop before red as well as if you accelerate above the limit to get through on amber.

Well worth anticipating this in advance and slowing prior to such crossings (and indeed all) so that you don't find yourself in a catch 22.

[Accelebrate]

I believe most red light cameras have a second or two delay after it turns fully red before it'll start taking photos, always worth baring in mind.

There's a few sets of lights around Oxford on NSL dual carriageway which also have red light cameras, I can't help but wonder if they do more harm than good as I've seen a few drivers panic and slide past them in a cloud of tyre smoke.

[Robatr0n]

Z064life said:

7db said:

Z064life said:

Unfortunately, it is very difficult for me to find a long stretch of empty road to practise this.

Where do you live?!

West London.

Where in west london?

Is your concern just for gauging stopping distances when coming to traffic lights?

You really need to get yourself somewhere quiet and get a feel for how your car stops at different speeds in a safe and smooth manner. It's very easy to stop from higher speeds by banging your foot on the brake pedal but you're likely to have someone stuff their car into the back of yours, especially in west london. If you're struggling to come to terms with stopping distances I would suggest that you arean't anticipating the situation but instead drive at a constant speed until you see the lights change to amber.

You need to anticipate situations, for example, how long have the lights been green for? If they have been green for a long period of time I will back off the loud pedal and slow down a fair bit until I have passed the point of no return (that would be the point where it is far too late to stop safely).

I'm also in West London and I could happily show you a couple of roads to test your stopping distances on. Get yourself along to a Thames Valley meet to meet a few like minded PHers and if you like the bunch feel free to ride shotgun with me on one of our runs.

Edited by Robatr0n on Monday 2nd March 15:14

[7db]

Robatr0n said:

Z064life said:

7db said:

Z064life said:

Unfortunately, it is very difficult for me to find a long stretch of empty road to practise this.

Where do you live?!

West London.

Where in west london?

more importantly, what cars do you both drive so that I can avoid you at the lights...?! :-P