Why do people drive so fast when the light is red up ahead?

Question

I can understand the thought process of a person trying to get through a green light before it changes, but why do people floor it (like 65ish in a 45 mph zone) when traffic is stopped ahead? The light is going to be red for at least the next 30 seconds, so why do people weave in and out of traffic and try to get ahead of each other when everyone is going to end up at the same place anyways? Would you be wasting gas by constantly doing this?

I live in California.

Answer 1

Yes, that is wasting gas, acceleartaing and slowing repeatedly does just that.. The purpose for this is to get ahead of the traffic, they are trying to beat the odds that their path will remain open, and they will get ahead of others.
It is also a move for attention seekers, thrill seekers, power seekers, and morons. It is dangerous. Even getting ahead by a couple cars is considered a victory, by them. I consider it to be a temporary victory against death, who will, inevitably, will catch up with the person doing this, and unfortunately, to everyone near him.
My personal favorite is the moron who weaves in and out of traffic, succeeds in getting ahead, and then I pass him later down the highway, he has slowed up, because he is now on the cell phone. And, you guessed it, a few minutes later, he flies by the same people again, thus putting them in harm's way again.
And no, we do not all end up in the same place. He will be going somewhere very hot, and meet someone holding a red pitchfork, for killing people. LOL, I know what you are asking, yes, and for some reason, getting there 0.000000001 second before the rest of us do is important to these people.

Answer 2

Years ago I figured out that I could drive through Orlando every Monday morning for a business meeting without stopping for one single red light if I just held my speed at 15 mph. It was hilarious watching people respond as they rushed ahead to stop and then watched me peacefully roll by when the light turned green.

Answer 3

I've never seen anyone speed up when they see a red light. I've seen people speed up at a yellow light, hoping to beat the red. There is a quote from the movie Starman where the Alien is telling the human woman he can drive. He says something like "red means stop, green means go, yellow means go very fast."

Answer 4

They do it because they are stooooopid. When I travel on a motorway I normally travel in the inside lane averaging about 60 mph. and when all the whizzers go hurtling past using probably 25% MORE fuel than me I Cannot help laughing at their stupidity.Plus if there was an emergency I would have immediate access to the hard shoulder if required

Answer 5

I guess it depends on where you live. In New Hampshire people usually stop at the green and go at the red.

Answer 6

Insanity?

Answer 7

Pure ignorance.

Answer 8

It's psychological, it just makes you feel better to be in front.

Answer 9

becuse there dummd thass y

Answer 10

neeeed for speeeed