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***waynne*** · 22-05-2008, 08:02 AM

How often have you hit a jam to find that it was caused by either nothing at all or an accident on the other side of the road?

Let me explain the "ripple effect". When a car brakes it slows down (Hands up who didn't know that!) Now the car behind has to brake, but this car will usually have to brake harder as 1) He was travelling too close and 2) He needs to add his thinking distance to the equation and must brake more.

The third car follows the pattern of the 2nd one breaking even more. And miles down the road after the initial flash of the break lights we have a full blown jam with cars coming to a standstill.

Rubber neckers (looking at accidents and slowing down) cause a real hazard and a fast moving flow of traffic becomes subject to the brake ripple effect. The additional hazzard is that other drivers are also distracted by what goes on in the other carriage way.

I'd be interested to hear suggestions on how we can avoid jams - here are my 2 to kick off the discussion.

DON'T RUBBER NECK AND DON'T USE YOUR BRAKES ON THE MOTORWAY

22-05-2008, 08:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
*waynne* Administrator Torque King Car: A3 1.8T Sport Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Deal, Kent UK Posts: 10,787	Stopping the jams. How often have you hit a jam to find that it was caused by either nothing at all or an accident on the other side of the road? Let me explain the "ripple effect". When a car brakes it slows down (Hands up who didn't know that!) Now the car behind has to brake, but this car will usually have to brake harder as 1) He was travelling too close and 2) He needs to add his thinking distance to the equation and must brake more. The third car follows the pattern of the 2nd one breaking even more. And miles down the road after the initial flash of the break lights we have a full blown jam with cars coming to a standstill. Rubber neckers (looking at accidents and slowing down) cause a real hazard and a fast moving flow of traffic becomes subject to the brake ripple effect. The additional hazzard is that other drivers are also distracted by what goes on in the other carriage way. I'd be interested to hear suggestions on how we can avoid jams - here are my 2 to kick off the discussion. DON'T RUBBER NECK AND DON'T USE YOUR BRAKES ON THE MOTORWAY __________________ I stepped in a plate of Pasta the other day - now I have to worry about my Carbonara footprint!