This is how we should all drive.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

http://wimp.com/traffictheory/
Seriously...give me one good reason why you aren't doing this. I've been behaving like that for the past 2 years. It's more relaxing, you save your brakes, and you save on gas.
Also, guess what? You get to where you are going just as fast. This isn't to say I drive like a grandma... 10 over is the norm as long as traffic is flowing nicely.
Bumper to bumper traffic that occurs without accidents, construction, or other obstructions is entirely the fault of impatient, selfish, competitive, and dangerous drivers.
This should be taught in all driving schools and pounded into the brains of all drivers.
Leave space, stop being ***holes.

[krash]

I actually do this! Not the merging hole thing, but driving at the ave speed so that I don't have to hit the brakes. I didn't know it was an actual thing. I like how he actually went into the psychology of it too

[Bubba1]

I'm sure it works fine in many parts of the country, but it goes against the unwritten rules of driving in the NJ,NY, Boston where drivers are much more time crazy or impatient. In NJ/NYC/Boston most drivers believe ground acquisition in 25' increments is crucial to getting where you're going in a hurry. Plus being ahead of the pack is considered winning. Crazy but true. If you tried being Mr. jam preventer here, there aren;t just a couple of lane merge cheaters to appease, it's literally everyone. So most drivers will try to grab that gap in front of you, to the point that if you don't stand your ground you'll keep on braking to the point that you've almost stopped, infuriating those behind you even more. I guarantee you'll receive the one finger salute by just about everyone as you will have prevented them from making that green light ahead by your trying to be Mr. nice guy jam preventer.

I actually do what the video explains to some extent in suburban PA where the drivers are generally more polite, but never ever in NJ, NY or Boston, where aggressiveness is the norm.

[krash]

I wouldn't do this in the city. Only on highway driving

[sbird1]

Yeah, I didn't always drive like this, but over the last year or two, I've developed patience and wisdom when it comes to driving. Also, sense I'm driving a Suburaban, I try to be as easy on the gas and brakes as possible to improve my mpg's... still doesn't work very well though.

[Dattebayo]

While an interesting theory, it doesn't generally work around I-495 or 95. It seems this philosophy is employed by people in work trucks often, and it gets many drivers incensed to the point of doing even more dangerous driving behind and around these type of drivers. Imagine these east-coasters' irate confusion as they figure out the the whole reason they have to go 10 below the speed limit is because this dope in front of them has been keeping a 1/4 mile buffer in front of him the whole time!

But, like Bubba said, I've used it on I-476 with success, so It can't be all nonsense.

[krash]

I do it on i-495 and 270 all the time. There not like 12 car lengths in front of me, but driving a bit slower can keep you from using your brakes too much. Given, it depends a lot on how much traffic there is. In the video, he was driving slow for no reason a lot of the time.

[Dattebayo]

I do it on i-495 and 270 all the time. There not like 12 car lengths in front of me, but driving a bit slower can keep you from using your brakes too much.

Yeah, you can DO it, but maybe you don't notice all what's going on behind you. It straight up pisses people off! It also doesn't break up any real traffic like the guys says in the vid.

[krash]

True, it doesn't break up anything, it just creates a space or something so you don't hit the next wave of braking traffic.

[alexanderc]

I have actually tried this a couple of times. I got flipped off and screamed at in detroit, but it for sure worked.

[Dattebayo]

The reason for traffic on 270 is because of last-minute lane-changing idiots who don't plan for their exit carefully enough tho... So I can't see where it would really help much to go slow and have a buffer, you will have to hit your brakes eventually. This is speaking from the philosophy standpoint.

[MinisterofDOOM]

This is basic s*** my 13 year old brother can tell you.

The problem with it is other people. I have NO IDEA how he got that much space built up in front of him in those videos, but that's not possible here in Utah. If you're in remotely heavy traffic with more than 5 carlengths open ahead of you, people will start filling in the empty space. Same with the merge theory. I go out of my way to prepare for lanes that will be ending or onramps or other merging traffic. Much of the time I'll end up with other cars from either the merging lane or the lane on my opposite side getting impatient and filling in the open space, oblivious of the imminently merging traffic.

He's also half incorrect with the merge theory. Only part of the fault lies with cars "allowing" the merge. The other half lies with the cars MAKING the merge. People won't match speed. Even when I, in either of these two positions, do my best to match speed with co-merging traffic, I generally end up being thwarted by other motorists.

His whole theory is destroyed by the same thing that ruins the rest of driving for drivers with brains: inattentiveness. It can't fix that, and is DEPENDENT on it, which makes it weak.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

I guess my corner of the highway system is full of rainbows and happy puppies.
I find it funny that everyone is giving the same explanation: "That doesn't work where I'm from, it's different here".
Yeah? It's the same everywhere dude.

[Dattebayo]

Yeah? It's the same everywhere dude.

No, it's not.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Yeah? It's the same everywhere dude.

No it isn't. Driving behavior at large varies from region to region and is affected by a lot of things. I can predict certain states' plates being on cars without being near enough to see the plates, just from watching behavior (Idaho, California, and Arizona are the easiest). Different types of geography affect it, too. Places with dense cities create a very different kind of driver than places with lots of straight roads and openness. Mixes do yet another thing.

It is absolutely NOT the same everywhere. Anyone who has driven in multiple states can tell you that.

[Jesda]

Head to Thailand for some intense motoring.

[rc1honda]

All i see is guy going slow in the fast lane. I think if you wanna experiment with traffic theory, its best to do in a non-rush hour right lane. Also his 10 second hypothesis is total BS. After rush hour communting in Chicago for 4 years i can tell the one person holding traffic up in the fast lanes can add 10-15 minutes on your commute easily. T

Those gaps just keep getting more and more people in them. Soon a 10 gap becomes a 50, then 100 and then 1000 fast. I can understand maybe in tiny pockets of merge stop and go. But you dont need 10 second gap in normal traffic all it does it slow traffic down.

[krash]

The reason for traffic on 270 is because of last-minute lane-changing idiots who don't plan for their exit carefully enough tho...

Truth. I hate them.

[Bubba1]

I guess my corner of the highway system is full of rainbows and happy puppies.
I find it funny that everyone is giving the same explanation: "That doesn't work where I'm from, it's different here".
Yeah? It's the same everywhere dude.

Could it possibly be that everyone but you that gives the same explanation that it does not work in certain big cities might be right and YOU might be incorrect? Before answering bear in mind, the people that disagree with you likely have considerably more driving experience in heavy traffic in their own cities than you do in their cities.

[BusyBadger]

It is absolutely NOT the same everywhere. Anyone who has driven in multiple states can tell you that.

^This^

I've lived in & around: Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis, rural-Illinois, quasi-rural Tennessee and Germany. They're all different, even the three metro areas I mentioned drive differently from each other as do the two rural areas.

For those interested in some of the psychology of driving I suggest this.

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Yeah, this won't work. Most drivers will go around you. Especially if you're in the left lane.

I know why it works for him though. He lives in SEATTLE. They have the slowest freaking drivers there, I swear. And stupid on ramps that merge in the left lane. I HATE the traffic there. All the speed limits there are 55 and 60 on the highway and 35 and 40 on streets. It sucks. Everyone else has the same mentality as him.

Try this on the 5 in Southern California and you are a dead man.

[alphapig]

Try this on the 5 in Southern California and you are a dead man.

I do this many times a week, SD -> Hollywood is a nightmare

When I see brake lights I coast. I REALLY don't understand people that need to get to the traffic in front faster.

People rage pass some times, but I take comfort in the fact that they first waste gas on pass revving, and then brakes on the inevitable stop 100ft later.

I put on my troll face and bounce passed them.

God I hate the condition of 5 in SoCAl, it's a joke

[ashibah83]

I put on my troll face and bounce passed them.

ive driven in NY/NJ, Boston, VA, DC, just about the whole eastern seaboard and most of Florida, I am thoroughly convinced that Florida has the WORST drivers, not most impatient, not "greediest", not selfish, but most technically and skill lacking, the inability to judge distances, improper testing, tourists, elderly, and just plain old STUPID! Drive rush hour in Jacksonville Florida and you will LOVE SoCal i guarantee.

[Jesda]

Yeah, this won't work. Most drivers will go around you. Especially if you're in the left lane.

I know why it works for him though. He lives in SEATTLE. They have the slowest freaking drivers there, I swear. And stupid on ramps that merge in the left lane. I HATE the traffic there. All the speed limits there are 55 and 60 on the highway and 35 and 40 on streets. It sucks. Everyone else has the same mentality as him.

Try this on the 5 in Southern California and you are a dead man.

SERIOUSLY. Its like the moment you get within a stone's throw of the Puget Sound, people slow to a crawl for no reason. Its like the air is made of thick syrup and people are driving through it slowly.

[Chaotic_Warlord]

Bubba, I'm OTR all around the greater Philadelphia area daily and can tell you that Southeastern PA drivers are just as aggressive as those NY/NJ drivers. It's only until you get into the rural sections central PA do they actually get their heads out of their asses. MD drivers are some of the worst as well, especially around the Beltway. For the record, I can get from our warehouse in Bristol to a service call in Camden or Cherry Hill faster if I cross the Burlington/Bristol Bridge and run down Rt 130 or 295 than if I went down 95 to cross at the Betsy or Ben and 95 to the Ben is a shorter distance. My point being that trying to anywhere in the greater Philadelphia area is next to impossible. I'd also like to add that NJ drivers as horrible and impatient as they are at least have a modicum of fear instilled into them thanks to those Jack booted bastards that are the NJ State Police. Can't say the same thing about PA drivers, they have no fear, are oblivious of what going on around them and think they are the only one on the roads. While the PA State Police do work, they are no where near as efficient or fear inducing as the NJSP, and the PPD is just a joke when it comes to traffic enforcement.

[s0m3th1ngAZ]

Before answering bear in mind, the people that disagree with you likely have considerably more driving experience in heavy traffic in their own cities than you do in their cities.

Fundamentally it's the same, people feel the need to be in front of the pack. The only thing that varies is how aggressively people chase that goal.
The method works, though my experience has only been on I-5 in Seattle, Portland, and So-Cal. Though admittedly it shouldn't be done in the left lane, leave that lane to everyone who thinks going fast means tailgating whoever is in front of you no matter how fast traffic is going.
I know this sounds like a very idealist behavior but it really does work, I don't see any anger directed at me while I drive, and I totally see why anyone would question it... I still get that nagging feeling when I leave space that I need to block people from changing into my lane.
Has anyone tried this? Like actually stuck to it for a couple days...

[Bubba1]

Bubba, I'm OTR all around the greater Philadelphia area daily and can tell you that Southeastern PA drivers are just as aggressive as those NY/NJ drivers. It's only until you get into the rural sections central PA do they actually get their heads out of their asses. MD drivers are some of the worst as well, especially around the Beltway. For the record, I can get from our warehouse in Bristol to a service call in Camden or Cherry Hill faster if I cross the Burlington/Bristol Bridge and run down Rt 130 or 295 than if I went down 95 to cross at the Betsy or Ben and 95 to the Ben is a shorter distance. My point being that trying to anywhere in the greater Philadelphia area is next to impossible. I'd also like to add that NJ drivers as horrible and impatient as they are at least have a modicum of fear instilled into them thanks to those Jack booted bastards that are the NJ State Police. Can't say the same thing about PA drivers, they have no fear, are oblivious of what going on around them and think they are the only one on the roads. While the PA State Police do work, they are no where near as efficient or fear inducing as the NJSP, and the PPD is just a joke when it comes to traffic enforcement.

Dang we do live near each other. I agree, you can add Philly and lower bucks county into the impatient aggressive driver list , but I still think its gets increasingly more intense as you venture northeast. I grew up near the GW bridge, and have lived down here for many years. Traffic is significantly worse up there than it is down here. Lower Bucks has become a popular commuting point for both NYC and Philly, so there are a lotta camoflauged time crazy people around here with unsuspecting PA plates.

[Bubba1]

Fundamentally it's the same, people feel the need to be in front of the pack. The only thing that varies is how aggressively people chase that goal.
The method works, though my experience has only been on I-5 in Seattle, Portland, and So-Cal. Though admittedly it shouldn't be done in the left lane, leave that lane to everyone who thinks going fast means tailgating whoever is in front of you no matter how fast traffic is going.
I know this sounds like a very idealist behavior but it really does work, I don't see any anger directed at me while I drive, and I totally see why anyone would question it... I still get that nagging feeling when I leave space that I need to block people from changing into my lane.
Has anyone tried this? Like actually stuck to it for a couple days...

I agree fundamentally the act is the same. What differs is the reaction of those around you. The typical northeastern city driver is much more time crazy, impatient and aggressive than most other areas of the country, especially Seattle. Combine those common traits with driving in much more densely populated areas with older poorly maintained roads, not designed to handle such massive traffic, with outrageous tolls, if you add one guy who wants to play traffic czar and force people to alter their driving habits to the mix, you just discovered an old recipe for road rage.

You ask has anyone tried it? Yes, My father-in-law from central PA has done it for years. Here, it;s perceived as "everyone else does it wrong, I'm right and I'll show everyone." yes it kinda worked in rural central PA, but we stopped having him drive out here, as we were both amused and horrified by the cursing/honking/highbeams and middle finger waving he received whenever he tried it out here when we were in the car with him. It's no surprise he says NJ drivers are rude. He just failed to see he was provoking them. Unless you've logged signicant driving in the cities out here, you won't understand the differences.

[Chaotic_Warlord]

Bubba, I'm OTR all around the greater Philadelphia area daily and can tell you that Southeastern PA drivers are just as aggressive as those NY/NJ drivers. It's only until you get into the rural sections central PA do they actually get their heads out of their asses. MD drivers are some of the worst as well, especially around the Beltway. For the record, I can get from our warehouse in Bristol to a service call in Camden or Cherry Hill faster if I cross the Burlington/Bristol Bridge and run down Rt 130 or 295 than if I went down 95 to cross at the Betsy or Ben and 95 to the Ben is a shorter distance. My point being that trying to anywhere in the greater Philadelphia area is next to impossible. I'd also like to add that NJ drivers as horrible and impatient as they are at least have a modicum of fear instilled into them thanks to those Jack booted bastards that are the NJ State Police. Can't say the same thing about PA drivers, they have no fear, are oblivious of what going on around them and think they are the only one on the roads. While the PA State Police do work, they are no where near as efficient or fear inducing as the NJSP, and the PPD is just a joke when it comes to traffic enforcement.

Dang we do live near each other. I agree, you can add Philly and lower bucks county into the impatient aggressive driver list , but I still think its gets increasingly more intense as you venture northeast. I grew up near the GW bridge, and have lived down here for many years. Traffic is significantly worse up there than it is down here. Lower Bucks has become a popular commuting point for both NYC and Philly, so there are a lotta camoflauged time crazy people around here with unsuspecting PA plates.

The only reason why the "aggressive" driving is worse in the NYC area is because there are more people and more cars on the road, which when you think about it if their public transportation wasn't as efficient as it is the traffic North Jersey and NYC would be far worse. The MTA and Patco do a far better job in there AO's than Septa does here, and Septa's train lines are pretty damned efficient, it's the Septa Buses that are horrible.

Add any sort of weather to the mix and people around become stupider than they already are and forget how to drive in rain or snow. If this were Cali and rain and snow wasn't a normal even I would understand, but it's the NE, it rains or snows on a weekly basis, especially in the winter months. I've seen people from the south drive better in the snow up here than those who live here. Guess it's because once you go south of the Mason Dixon line the need to be impatient or aggressive behind the wheel seems to go out the window,

[BusyBadger]

It is absolutely NOT the same everywhere. Anyone who has driven in multiple states can tell you that.

Why it's not the same everywhere...quantified.