From a BMW blog...What's really killing the manual transmission?

[NYC-SE]

Originally Posted by Kalispel

I'm a people watcher, and I notice every morning that most drivers speed up to every red light and then hit the brakes at the last moment every time. When the light turns green, they gun it and take off like they are being chased by the police - all the way to the next red light.

When I see that the light is red down the road, I let my foot off the gas accordingly, and the light usually turns green before I ever get to it. It saves wear and tear on both my brakes and my clutch, and just seems like a smart/safe way to drive. People behind me, however, seem to get mad or impatient, even though the light is clearly red ahead, and often pass me in the other lane and speed up to the red light just to stop and wait.

A lot of people also seem to get annoyed/angry that I casually drive the speed limit (or no more than +5 mph), even though I stay in the right-most "slow" lane while on multi-lane roads. I'm never in a hurry, and always give myself proper time to get to my destinations. Sorry that you are running late and don't allocate your time properly. Most human primates really crack me up.

I think that describes people everywhere. I have no interest in racing you to the next red light, I'll meet you there. Also feel no need to dart back and forth between lanes at the first sign of space opening up. Love when I see someone doing this and then winds up behind me when he can't get back over.