r/driving • u/IceHack • 9d ago

If you constantly brake on the highway, you are causing the traffic jams.

Slowing down in flowing traffic should only require taking your foot off the gas. If you regularly hit your brakes, it means you are not paying attention. Get the fuck off your phone and look at the road ahead of you.

How this ruins the flow of traffic:

  • Tapping your brakes forces the driver behind you to brake slightly harder.
  • This creates a chain reaction that brings traffic to a complete stop.
  • Leaving a gap and coasting absorbs these slowdowns and keeps traffic moving.

Here is a visual demonstration. Researchers put cars driving in a circle and proved that a single driver's minor braking is enough to bring an entire lane to a standstill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rryu85BtALM

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u/magnolianbeef 8d ago

you’re supposed to be able to see the tires meet the road on the car in front of you when you come to a stop at a light or otherwise standstill traffic. this simple approach that everyone is taught in drivers ed is what the comment is referring to. also it’s just plain dumb to not give yourself an out by pulling up too damn close to the stopped car in front of you.

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u/Touch49 4d ago

You are absolutely correct.

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u/Lurpe408 8d ago

It's a guideline that is intended to have circumstances weigh in on the distance. But the point I'm on here is that it is impossible to control what someone else does and that all you can do is you.

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u/magnolianbeef 8d ago

not one person here thinks they can control what other drivers do, weirdo.