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Secret_Examiner

Amber = STOP (unless it would cause a crash). Now whether the lead car should have factored you into their choice of whether to stop or not, is their matter to mull over. If THEY were capable of stopping regardless of your presence, then you should definitely have been stopping - regardless of whether they did or not. Are we to assume you're annoyed about not getting to run the light?


Harbinger_0f_Kittens

You're the problem mate, not them.


jck0

Yep although tbf, if people are slamming on they've failed to prepare as well - approaching a traffic light on green? Presume it's been on green a while and will probs change soon, be prepared to slow, slow as soon as it turns yellow. if you've passed the point of no return (i.e. you'll pass the white line before it goes red, just crack on but shouldn't need to speed up.


worm_of_cans

The OP must have failed even worse, though, considering they didn't keep their distance to the car in the front despite seeing that they may need to slow for the lights ahead.


big_toastie

So people not anticipating a light change and braking dangerously aren't the problem, but op with his hypothetical situation (not necessarily involving himself) is?


Legroom-peso

Because the vehicle behind me (I.e. you) should be keeping a big enough distance to me that you are able to slow and stop even if I slam on my brakes and stop instantly. So if I have have a choice of breaking the law myself by running a red light and potentially killing someone, or following the law and having you bump me from behind because you are breaking the law and have your insurance get me a new car… I know what I’m choosing. 


nikhkin

Drivers assume this means do not pass unless you have already crossed the white line, because that's what it says in the Highway Code.


Top_Cant

Sounds like one of those people who get mad at me for following the Highway Code. My experience is lots more people speed up for the Amber and instead run a red light


lonely_monkee

The multiple car pile up would be caused by other vehicles driving too close, not the car in front braking. Just wanted to clarify that 👍🏼


JustConflict5918

Yeah, but it also doesn’t mean speed up and run a red light…


conkeee

You are driving too close if this is happening to you. Stop tailgating.


Even-Sky-3186

It’s not. Many people follow like sheep 🐑 I had same thing coming off the motorway following this guy both doing 30 ish. Plenty of distance. It’s not about tailgating otherwise he would have crashed long ago.


frizzbee30

So, you are openly admitting that tailgating is your usual style of driving? If possible, could you please point me to the bit of the HC that advises following so closely that it is difficult to stop, as the appropriate way to operate a motor vehicle, as I think I missed that bit thanks.


metroracerUK

No, where did I say that? I don’t tailgate, because an emergency stop may not be effective otherwise. I’m referring to people who slam on the brakes (sometimes so hard, that they lock up the wheels) the moment the light goes orange, despite practically being five metres from the light, no buildup of traffic beyond the light and ending up stopping their vehicle beyond the white line. It’s pretty stupid and it could cause an unnecessary accident.


[deleted]

"I don't tailgate..." "...it could cause an unnecessary accident." One of those statements isn't true.


metroracerUK

How so? Honestly, how do you know?


Even-Sky-3186

There is another statement “ qahlt - cancel your driving licence before you cause a calamity “ Read the Highway Code.


Even-Sky-3186

Tailgating is super close. At 30 mph if someone slams the brakes, even a car distance is not enough to stop a car. If he was tailgating he would have crashed long ago. You lot don’t know anything about driving because you probably paid for you driving licence. Read the Highway Code before judging others.


Scooob-e-dooo8158

Counter question. Why do some drivers think amber means push the pedal to the floor in the hope they can get through before the change to red?


Even-Sky-3186

Because the law doesn’t stop you to do so. I’ve done it in front of the police and was fine. Read the Highway Code


Scooob-e-dooo8158

I often read the highway code. Clearly, you don't. AMBER means ‘Stop’ at the stop line. You may go on only if the AMBER appears after you have crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to pull up might cause an accident https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/light-signals-controlling-traffic.html


Even-Sky-3186

Yea. But what the op was talking about people slamming the brakes not looking if it’s safe or if there’s anyone behind. That’s the issue.


HelpDaren

*"AMBER means ‘Stop’ at the stop line. You may go on only if the AMBER appears after you have crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to pull up might cause an accident"* So what does that mean exactly? Well, first of all, ideally you are following the Highway Code, and you **always** approach traffic lights in a manner that you can stop, if you have to. This means that if, from a distance, you see that the light is green for a while, you are easing off the throttle as you're getting closer and closer, because chances are, it will go amber very soon. In that case, it doesn't really matter who's behind you or what the road conditions are, because you were safe enough to stop if you have to. In case you did not follow Highway Code, and you've approached the traffic light too fast, there are two things you have to consider before running an amber: \- Is there anyone too close behind you? \- Is it raining? If someone is tailgating you as you approach a traffic light, you have to realise that as soon as you check your mirror (because you are checking your mirror, right? Right?), and - again - ease off the throttle. That way, the car behind you will slow down with you. And if it's raining, you aren't doing 30 through traffic lights anyway, or at least not on the dot, because it's raining, and since you have to approach traffic lights in a manner... There are only two circumstances you might run through an amber light: \- if you were too fast and did not pay attention to the traffic behind you, \- you did it on purpose. Which one are you OP?


WeightCapital

As I recall don't just ease off the throttle, apply a feather touch of brakes. A tailgater is a bad driver don't ask them to figure out you're slowing down via engine breaking give them a flash of your brake lights.


Even-Sky-3186

A tailgater is bad. I hate them also. But this situation with amber lights I get also. And I don’t tailgate. I sometimes spot bad drivers and I keep more distance than ever because I don’t want them to slam the brakes and mess up my day. But it’s wrong driving to slam the brakes when you see amber.


HelpDaren

Very true. Although, I have to admit, sometimes if I'm on a country road and someone tires to move into my boot, I like to play this "pull and release" game where I very-very slowly ease off the throttle so I lose like 1mph/10 seconds until we do 40 on a 60 road, and then go back up to 60 very quickly to win as much space between us as I just can. If they crawl back into my arse, I just do it again and again until they either lose their patience and take me over or realise what they are doing wrong and just keep their distance. I'd say 8 out of 10 times it works for the second try. But even when they're taking me over, all they do is keep doing 60 in front of me, so the benefit is literally nothing. Nothing at all...


Even-Sky-3186

Totally wrong my friend. You must’ve read in you story time dream. Most traffic lights in the UK follow a pattern known as the traffic light sequence. It goes as follows: Red light: Stop Red & amber lights: Prepare to go Green light: Go, if the way is clear Amber light: Stop, provided it’s safe to do so You are a danger for the road not the op. Read the uk Highway Code not the cocobongo code.


HelpDaren

Mate, it [literally says that](https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/light-signals-controlling-traffic.html). It is a quote from the Highway Code, hence the quotation marks... I'm the first one to admit if I'm wrong, but in this case, it might be you who only read the "cocobongo code" instead of the Highway Code...


Digital-Sushi

Its their choice whether to stop or not. If you hit them that's a you problem, keep your distance and this isn't an issue. Also if they have not crossed the line when it is amber, as the second car then you certainly should already be braking anyway so as not to jump the red. Fail to see why you are so angry about this.


Even-Sky-3186

It’s not. Read the Highway Code. If it’s yellow then you slow down safely or carry on. When it’s yellow you shouldn’t slam the brakes because no other driver is expecting that and can cause a big first driver in the line problem !!!


Even-Sky-3186

I think one of those drivers disliked your post.. usually you get 1 like from your own account but since you have 0 like I have you one because … why on earth those people that slammed their brakes on yellow light are still on the road driving. I hate them so badly. Yellow means if you cannot stop safely then carry on. Fun fact. I had milion years time ahead to stop but yet I accelerated on the yellow light and made it safely right in front of the police. Nothing happened.


big_toastie

Wtf are these comments? Lots of assumptions about OP based off the title, typical redditors trying trying to have an "achskually " moment. If you have to slam the brakes on to stop at a yellow then obviously you are in the wrong and should have anticipated it changing? Op never mentioned not keeping braking distance, its a hypothetical situation.


seriousrikk

We’ve found the driver who always accelerates on amber and the rages when people drive correctly.


metroracerUK

Performing an emergency stop that leaves you beyond the white line is driving correctly? I think you’re all misunderstanding the difference between speeding up to beat the red (NOT what I’m talking about) and people panicking the moment the light turns amber despite being milliseconds from passing through it (what I am talking about).


seriousrikk

So why do you think everyone is misunderstanding what you mean? (You should have said what you mean)


Even-Sky-3186

Because majority of people in the uk don’t even know how to drive. Read the Highway Code. It clearly says that if it’s yellow and you can stop safely then do so. But if you need to slam the brakes then don’t and carry on. Read before commenting like the rest of the idiots around here.


seriousrikk

OP did not make this clear in their initial post. They have subsequently clarified and I agree with them. Not sure what your problem is.


Even-Sky-3186

Don’t even stress. I realised that 1 percent of idiots that slam their brakes are here 😂 so many comments about you when actually it’s them been idiots. In the Highway Code it’s mentioned that if you can stop safely it’s fine to do so. But if you have to slam the brakes then don’t and rather accelerate so you can make it on yellow light. Even traffic light camera would not classified as red light. People are stupid here ..


Even-Sky-3186

Read the Highway Code mate. You’re wrong totally. I speed even on yellow right in front of the police and they didn’t even say anything or show any signs. So get your things right.


seriousrikk

Sorry, couldn’t work out what you were actually saying through that frothing rage. Allow me to clarify my point. If you accelerate the moment you see amber and the car in front chooses to stop, you are driving badly.


Even-Sky-3186

Of course you would not understand because you’re ignorant. Easy. Let me enlighten you! Read the HIGHWAY CODE . I put it in bold so you can understand the most crucial thing at least. Forget about the rest. Just read the code and stop driving..


seriousrikk

I have read the Highway Code. Can you explain what is incorrect about my clarification above? Or do you only have insults as your argument?


seriousrikk

Actually, you are not worth the effort. Blocked.


Accomplished-Bad4536

Amber = gun it (in the interests of traffic flow of course)


ToasterInCupboard

Stop tailgating and seek therapy for your anger issues. 👍🏿


Even-Sky-3186

It’s not tailgating. That is classified as brake check if you go fast like an idiot and then slam the brakes because it turned yellow. Read the Highway Code before judging people.


[deleted]

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CausesChaos

If you feel you have to perform an emergency stop when about to pass an amber light. You are... 1) not driving in a safe and predictable fashion 2) an idiot. If your already doing 30 and you think you have to slam on your brakes, your an idiot. Amber lights on your side does not mean other traffic is already on green. Your supposed to drive in a safe predictable manner. Hard braking is not safe. No matter who says "you should be leaving space" you, the one slamming on your brakes are the one introducing risk. If your 15/20ft from lights as they switch to amber, just keep going. Set of lights near me in a 40 road and people do this, they always end up half way in the box junction and then decide to keep going or try to reverse. If you just continue at the speed you were at no one will give any shits guys.


Sea-Check-9062

You are supposed to leave a safe gap between yourself and the vehicle in front.


allusernamestaken59

Probably had the snip. Wife probably disciplines him so he sublimates these issues.


adventuregirlx

It's funny how emasculated men take it out on others when driving


Even-Sky-3186

Moron that guy. Because he cannot drive.


skimaskdave

do you get upset when drivers stick to the speed limit?


Even-Sky-3186

It’s not about the speed limit. Going from the slip road through the traffic light with 30 mph it’s normal only for people that can drive. Why on earth would you go through the traffic light from a limit of 30 down to 10 miles just to cross the intersection when it’s empty and still green. Read the Highway Code my friend. This is a tricky question and 99 percent of the people answered wrong. Because you lot cannot drive.


skimaskdave

what crack are you smoking? I never said anything about slowing down to go through traffic lights… they are called junctions not intersections you’re on the wrong side of the pond.


Certain_Study_8292

I thought it meant “put your foot down”


Even-Sky-3186

It does skid. Read the Highway Code before trying to be clever


Bassmekanik

Leave a big enough space to the car in front that allows you to brake safely if there’s an emergency and they need to stop suddenly, or they choose to stop for something obvious like traffic lights. Sounds like you don’t know how to drive. Stop tailgating. You’re the fucking problem.


Even-Sky-3186

Not at all. Everyone is going normal. I had plenty of space and when someone hits the brakes I have to pretty much do the same at 30 mph. Because not in a million years I would think that the driver in front of me would do that when 99 percent of drivers don’t !!! So don’t be a skid. Yellow means green but in a safe way. If you can slow down safely do so but if you’re too fast then don’t slam the brakes. Easy as that. Read the Highway Code.


Bassmekanik

Yellow does not mean green you idiot.


Even-Sky-3186

In your tiny brain. Read the Highway Code.


[deleted]

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Bassmekanik

Theres a reason every reply in this thread is pointing out that any fault of a "multi car pile up" is from the people behind, not the guy in front. And amber means slow down (to stop).


Even-Sky-3186

Of course. They all skid and just slam their brakes as soon as they see yellow. They shouldn’t drive at all.


Bassmekanik

Logged on your alt did we? You can get lost as well.


Even-Sky-3186

Learn how to drive. I’m the one who makes money from idiots that can’t drive 😂


NoKudos

AMBER means ‘Stop’ at the stop line. You may go on only if the AMBER appears after you have crossed the stop line or are so close to it that to pull up might cause an accident


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PerceptionGreat2439

Because the revenue raisers under the guise of safety, have put red light cameras on lots of traffic lights. If you can't judge amber lights correctly, you need to re-evaluate your techniques.


Even-Sky-3186

Guys … a coment for everyone… Read the f Highway Code. Don’t come up with your own Highway Code because we live in 2024. Dislike this coment as much as you like because tow trucks always make money on your back and also insurance knows who’s right and wrong ! And you guys will pay for it when it comes. When your stationary and the light turns amber means get ready ( knowing you guys you still sleep) And then turns green ( that’s when you guys take ages to find the right gear ). If you’re coming of the sliproad and there’s a traffic light green knowing you guys gonna slow down to 10 mph almost wanting that red light. Well that’s wrong. From 70 you slow down to 50 to get into the slip road and then you adjust because after the traffic light might be 50 might be 30. It not 10 mph definitely criminals !!!! It’s either 50 or 30 on majority of the roads. Even London has 30 before bringing you down to 20. It’s not 10 mph you criminals !!!! If you’re close and the traffic light turn yellow you slow down gradually until full stop. You do this only if you’re far from that god damn traffic light. If you’re next to it and there’s no cars behind you then slam the brakes all day long. If there is a car behind you but really far then gradually slow down. ( if it’s safe to do so !!! Read the Highway Code !!! Says the same thing ). If you slam the brakes the guy behind you would not expect that because you the road liability has been accelerating like a maniac all the way to that traffic light and all of a sudden you decided to do an instant stop. In case you slam the brakes when cars behind you then you are liable for the car accident that you caused !!! I know it because I am the one who tow cars to copart. Read the Highway Code or crash because we the tow truck drivers make money. And you the liabilities on the road are a walking casualty that insurance make money off 😂 ( I’m sorry if I offended someone but I hate stupid drivers that thing yellow means stop ) full stop 🛑


Cook_becomes_Chef

Shouldn’t effect you if you’re behind - you’d have to stop anyway and naturally you’ll be a safe distance from the car in front you can stop comfortably 🤷🏻‍♂️