When stopped at traffic lights...
Discussion
What should you do?
Should you:
Should you:
- Change into 1st, handbrake down when the lights start to change
- Change into first as soon as you stop at the lights, ready to set of when they change
- Somewhere in between e.g when other cars perpendicular are stopping, so you know the lights are going to change soon.
Pick the gear when you know you need it. I keep first until I'm sure I won't need it to avoid the car sliding up behind me. Then neutral.
I take first (4th then first) when I see the other phase changing or the ped lights on my phase changing if I am the lead vehicle. Distract the bikers leaning on your front wing on amber and off you whizz.
I take first (4th then first) when I see the other phase changing or the ped lights on my phase changing if I am the lead vehicle. Distract the bikers leaning on your front wing on amber and off you whizz.
Well I stop at the lights, go into neutral, then into 1st straight away, but only release the handbrake when the lights start to change.
I asked my instructor today and he says what I do is ok as a learner, because if I did everything as the lights changed, i'd have little time, and could panic.
I asked my instructor today and he says what I do is ok as a learner, because if I did everything as the lights changed, i'd have little time, and could panic.
I think it comes down to who's rules you're playing by as to what the "right" way of doing it is. The DSA suggest that learners should sit in 1st gear to be prepared to go when the lights change. The IAM/RoSPA suggest distinguishing between a short stop and a long stop and so for a short stop, you'll be in 1st and ready to go and for a long stop, you'll do handbrake->neutral and then watch the phases of the lights before selecting 1st.
Of course, if you're at the back of a queue, you may like to stop with a few car lengths ahead, take 1st and stay on the footbrake to give you an option if you need to help a car behind you find a bit more space to stop. You may also like to stop a little further back from the line if you're at the front of the queue to give you space to manouevre if an emergency vehicle appears and to also allow you to "go" on the red-amber phase (provided the junction is clear) so you cross the line moving as it changes to green. This can aid progress.
Chris
Of course, if you're at the back of a queue, you may like to stop with a few car lengths ahead, take 1st and stay on the footbrake to give you an option if you need to help a car behind you find a bit more space to stop. You may also like to stop a little further back from the line if you're at the front of the queue to give you space to manouevre if an emergency vehicle appears and to also allow you to "go" on the red-amber phase (provided the junction is clear) so you cross the line moving as it changes to green. This can aid progress.
Chris
ScoobyChris said:
I think it comes down to who's rules you're playing by as to what the "right" way of doing it is. The DSA suggest that learners should sit in 1st gear to be prepared to go when the lights change. The IAM/RoSPA suggest distinguishing between a short stop and a long stop and so for a short stop, you'll be in 1st and ready to go and for a long stop, you'll do handbrake->neutral and then watch the phases of the lights before selecting 1st.
Of course, if you're at the back of a queue, you may like to stop with a few car lengths ahead, take 1st and stay on the footbrake to give you an option if you need to help a car behind you find a bit more space to stop. You may also like to stop a little further back from the line if you're at the front of the queue to give you space to manouevre if an emergency vehicle appears and to also allow you to "go" on the red-amber phase (provided the junction is clear) so you cross the line moving as it changes to green. This can aid progress.
Chris
Of course, if you're at the back of a queue, you may like to stop with a few car lengths ahead, take 1st and stay on the footbrake to give you an option if you need to help a car behind you find a bit more space to stop. You may also like to stop a little further back from the line if you're at the front of the queue to give you space to manouevre if an emergency vehicle appears and to also allow you to "go" on the red-amber phase (provided the junction is clear) so you cross the line moving as it changes to green. This can aid progress.
Chris
I was on the front line of a queue of one (me) on a wet day at Henly's Corner on the North Circular when I espied in my rear-view mirror a lorry with steaming tyres (it was wet) sliding towards my rear end. A car-length forward movement was all it took to avoid the insurance claim but if I'd been in neutral with handbrake on, it maight have been different. based on what we all witness from some real morons,
pull up at lights, balance mobile phone on shoulder, try not to spill coffee from mug, whilst trying not drop cereal from bowl whilst checking hair in rear view mirror, make sure car in 5th gear, or reverse what ever takes your fancy, then when lights change wait at least 55 seconds or at least 25 horn blasts before sailing through just as lights turn red.
pull up at lights, balance mobile phone on shoulder, try not to spill coffee from mug, whilst trying not drop cereal from bowl whilst checking hair in rear view mirror, make sure car in 5th gear, or reverse what ever takes your fancy, then when lights change wait at least 55 seconds or at least 25 horn blasts before sailing through just as lights turn red.
as a basic rule - handbrake, netural. However, if it is clear that a green is imminent eg. always at a pedestrian crossing, if you have a view of the opposing lights or opposing traffic is stopping, there is no need to take handbrake, netural, first, back to handbrake, just take a first and then hold it on the handbrake (or no handbrake if the lights change during your gear change).
Obviously when stopped the danger is from the rear so rearward observations are important ready to take action if deemed necessary. This is more relevant in adverse weather conditions during which alternatives to the above general rule could be considered as mentioned in previous posts.
Obviously when stopped the danger is from the rear so rearward observations are important ready to take action if deemed necessary. This is more relevant in adverse weather conditions during which alternatives to the above general rule could be considered as mentioned in previous posts.
pcvman said:
based on what we all witness from some real morons,
pull up at lights, balance mobile phone on shoulder, try not to spill coffee from mug, whilst trying not drop cereal from bowl whilst checking hair in rear view mirror, make sure car in 5th gear, or reverse what ever takes your fancy, then when lights change wait at least 55 seconds or at least 25 horn blasts before sailing through just as lights turn red.
Unless you roll your own fags, in which case take a bit more time over it. pull up at lights, balance mobile phone on shoulder, try not to spill coffee from mug, whilst trying not drop cereal from bowl whilst checking hair in rear view mirror, make sure car in 5th gear, or reverse what ever takes your fancy, then when lights change wait at least 55 seconds or at least 25 horn blasts before sailing through just as lights turn red.
For your driving test, instructors recommend you to stay in first with the handbrake on, so that you aren't surprised when the lights change. However, when you aren't at the front of the queue, leave it in neutral as you'll have plenty of time to get ready.
After you gain more experience, you'll be able to predict when the lights change and get into gear then, and therefore save the clutch release bearing.
HTH.
After you gain more experience, you'll be able to predict when the lights change and get into gear then, and therefore save the clutch release bearing.
HTH.
james_gt3rs said:
For your driving test, instructors recommend you to stay in first with the handbrake on, so that you aren't surprised when the lights change. However, when you aren't at the front of the queue, leave it in neutral as you'll have plenty of time to get ready.
After you gain more experience, you'll be able to predict when the lights change and get into gear then, and therefore save the clutch release bearing.
HTH.
I try as soon as possible to get pupils to assess the situation so they know which they should be doing.After you gain more experience, you'll be able to predict when the lights change and get into gear then, and therefore save the clutch release bearing.
HTH.
I slow down, whilst sticking it in first, clutch pedal held down, stop, handbrake on. When the lights change to green, release handbrake and move away. If I'm local and know the light sequence or it is obvious when my lights are going to change to green and I have some time, I will stick it in neutral so I don't have to hold the clutch down.
99% of people seem to sit with one foot on the brake, and the other foot holding the clutch down in first gear. It's probably higher than 99%, no one ever seems to use the handbrake at traffic lights, I've even seen learners do this so people must be being taught this way. I don't see the point in this, I can get away just as quickly, if not quicker, seeing as my feet are already in the correct position. Plus brake light bulbs will last longer if you use the handbrake.
99% of people seem to sit with one foot on the brake, and the other foot holding the clutch down in first gear. It's probably higher than 99%, no one ever seems to use the handbrake at traffic lights, I've even seen learners do this so people must be being taught this way. I don't see the point in this, I can get away just as quickly, if not quicker, seeing as my feet are already in the correct position. Plus brake light bulbs will last longer if you use the handbrake.
HereBeMonsters said:
Handbrake, neutral. Look for other lights and phases. When the one before yours turns amber, engage 1st, ready to release handbrake when your lights change.
gets my vote. in 1st gear, even with the handbrake on, should the clutch cable or hydraulics fail there is a possibility, no matter how remote, of the car moving forward out of control.
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