Does taking longer to stop make you a safer driver?

"JCAlan" (jcalan) 11/30/2013 at 17:32 • Filed to: None

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Progressive thinks so. That's why every time I make what I think is a normal stop in my car, the Snapshot device beeps at me for making a "hard stop." So now I'm dragging my stops out much longer, ending up right on the bumper of the car in front of me, or further out into the intersections. I'm also blowing through yellow lights much later, for fear of getting beeped at. It does not seem safer to me. I'd rather ride with someone that can stop on a dime.

Converse > JCAlan 11/30/2013 at 17:35

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The snapshot is a joke. As you've just described, "safe driving" cannot be broken down into algorithms of slower stops and following the speed limit exactly.

Gives the impression that if you have slow inputs and drive slowly, you're a safe driver.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > JCAlan 11/30/2013 at 17:41

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The idea is to make you less aggressive and to start braking sooner. I understand the thinking and believe there is some truth in it, although I know that is practically saying that I worship Lucifer around here.

bhardoin > JCAlan 11/30/2013 at 17:43

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Personally, I just like coming to a smooth and slow stop all comfy and chauffer like, but as for safety... hmm. Sometimes:
-If you're in an area where there might be ice, yes.
-It will also make it less likely for you to be rear ended by someone who isn't paying attention to you stopping - they get more time to see your brake lights and react.
-Its also better for your gas mileage and brakes to (in some scenarios, not talking slow truck stops here) coast/lightly brake into stoplights so that you don't come to a complete stop and then speed up.

But I think they put that on as a measure of your driving performance because often people who are "hard stopping" are reacting late to traffic conditions and then panic braking.

Icemanmaybeirunoutofthetalents > JCAlan 11/30/2013 at 17:46

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Braking earlier and smoother than jamming on the brakes at the last second is better on the brakes and safer.

Ian Duer (320b) > Converse 11/30/2013 at 17:48

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I'd personally never use one of those. I know it wouldn't like the way I drive. Then again I tend to avoid post 95 models when possible so it's not really and option.

Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna > JCAlan 11/30/2013 at 17:54

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I don't know if this is what you're talking about. But sometimes when you stop at a stop sign for example, right when you come to a stop, your head moves forward and back. My parents yell at me every time that happens when I'm driving them around and say that I should make sure that when I stop, it should be over a long distance that does not result in their head whipping back and forth.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > JCAlan 11/30/2013 at 17:57

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While the snapshot might be over aggressive at what defines a "hard stop", yes you should be starting sooner rather than later when you brake. Remember - you can always apply more brake if you need to. Nothing irritates me more than having the person in front be very late on their brakes when they drive an SUV or large truck. I can't always see if the upcoming light is red or green so when they brake very late, it is quite annoying.

Plus, I know I've had to tap on my brakes to "flash" the lights at the idiot behind me to let them know I'm about to stop. Nothing quite like the "zombie gaze into their lap" to let you know the person behind is watching youtube or texting or some BS. I brake early so that the person behind doesn't smash into me. Yes it would be their fault, but I really don't want to risk being injured just to prove the person behind me is an idiot. They won't learn anything from hitting me anyways.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > bhardoin 11/30/2013 at 17:58

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Spot on with the last sentence. My co-worker is very late when he rbakes so it is often a near panic-stop just coming to a normal light. He complains about having to replace the brakes every year on his car because of this. He has already hit two people in five years so snapshot would probably drive up his rates even more.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > JCAlan 11/30/2013 at 18:00

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I try to brake on an "exponential decay curve" when I drive quickly. Hard at first, then roll off slowly up till a complete stop, so as to avoid jerking my head forward. Its fun to do, you can stop pretty quickly and still come to a very smooth and easy stop.

MountainCommand > JCAlan 11/30/2013 at 18:06

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As a passenger, i always hate when drivers brake late. Were not at a track, nor are we having a spirited drive. So drive like a sir' (for lack of a better term). Think of it as a refinement of the art of fine driving. You dont want your passengers to spill their champagne. Easy on power, easy on brake. Low G turns, always think ahead.

Also, why would you want to find out that your brakes dont work with only 200 feet til the light. Id much rather have a larger buffer in case of any surprises, especially on public roads. Anything goes.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > JCAlan 11/30/2013 at 18:07

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I would pull that fucking thing out of my OBD2 port and toss it into the ocean if it were me.

WarShrike > JCAlan 11/30/2013 at 18:13

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It's 1/3 of a G from what I remember when I calculated it when I ran snapshot in my Firebird and Mazda3s GT. Only had a couple hard brakes in the Firebird, and quite a few in the Mazda because it has super touchy brakes.

Still dropped our premium down quite a bit!

As an aside, I usually know the lights rather well here, so I don't get surprised by them. I'll gradually slow down, not giving a damn if somebody is tailgating me. I'll even engine brake if possible.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Luke's Dad Sold His 2000TL To Get a Sienna 11/30/2013 at 20:47

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Your response should be to put this on (and put in earplugs)

JCAlan > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 12/01/2013 at 08:18

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That's the thing, it's definitely over aggressive. If only it could measure how closely you're following the person in front of you instead, I think that's the most unsafe practice out there.

JCAlan > bhardoin 12/01/2013 at 08:20

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I think most people tend to drive differently when hauling passengers than when alone, to make the ride comfortable for them.