Is there any way I can alter my driving behaviour to help reduce traffic? (2016) | Hacker News Reader

Is there any way I can alter my driving behaviour to help reduce traffic? (2016)

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9 pointsTomte11 comments

As someone who took driver's ed, it's odd how many people are using their brakes on the highway in good traffic just so they can stay in the danger zone where they have no time to react if the car ahead of them stops suddenly (even if they're in the right lane and not actually trying to go fast). Out of pure greed you'd think people would realize they're burning their gas and brakes for no reason.

I'll add that on the highway, you can scan way further ahead than you're used to. You should be able to maintain focus far ahead and use your peripheral vision to keep between the lines on turns. It's not the easiest thing to do, but it's very easy to practice.

Its like people dont understand their car will slow down enough by just removing their foot from the gas.

USA driving requirements are insanely inadequate. I studied for like a week on the written part of the test and it ended up being only ~10 simple questions followed by a drive around the block.

I am an "anti-tailgater", and it pains me that I'm usually tailgated myself. It is more dangerous than people think, especially in bad weather.

I sometimes take breaks to let people pass, but some are following up so closely (even trucks) that I am worried about braking too quickly when entering a parking spot. Some don't even see my signal (or don't slow down even if they see it).

I live in Romania, and frequently cross mountains, and the parking spots are crappy and pothole-ridden at best.

Keep Right Except to Pass

Very true. I’ve seen so many needlessly constricted roads when there’s a group of slow cars hogging al the lanes with clear road in front of them and a huge pack behind.

The best advice I was given a long time ago was “never cruise in the left lane”. You basically never get a ticket for going with the flow in the right lane, but should only use the left lane for a particular purpose like passing someone.

I drive (and even use public transit) during off-peak hours. With working from home and occasional walks to not-so-nearby stores, I drive less than ever. The walks are in an effort to get some exercise from being home all the time (rather than environmental).

just don't drive (tm)

This comment may have been made in jest, but I think this is the only way to really reduce traffic. At a certain point, if you're on the road, there isn't much you can do to make yourself less traffic causing since you can only control your actions and not the actions of others.

There may be some ways to slightly reduce traffic, but the impacts are nearly negligible. Driving more efficiently and safely has its own benefits, but without reducing the number of cars on the road traffic will inevitably get backed up once enough cars are on a road.

Yeah. Trade it in for a bike.

Pedal, electric, or motorbike?

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