Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I've long heard and read about drivers railing about a backup at the scene of an accident being caused by rubbernecking. While backups are frustrating, I submit that rubbernecking is not necessarily always the cause, but may actually be the result of proper, careful driving.
A responsible driver sees an accident ahead and instinctively eases up slightly on the accelerator and may even prepare to brake, thus decelerating perhaps only a few miles per hour.
The driver behind him senses the slight deceleration and likewise eases up on his accelerator, most likely dropping even a few more miles per hour. And so on.
If traffic is heavy and closely packed, rather than being sparse and sufficiently spaced to allow adjustments, eventually the chain reaction will cause those farther back in line to come to a crawl, if not a complete stop.
Thus the backup has not been caused by rubbernecking, but actually by responsible driving.
Donald M. Simonds
Kensington
But what caused the first vehicle in line to slow down? Responsible driving, rubbernecking or both? It's the rare driver who can pass by an accident scene without wanting to look.
Which Way to Park
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
I have been driving for more than 40 years, and I always back into a parking space. I use my mirrors to move into a static situation that is under my control.
If I backed out of that space, I would be entering a fluid situation. I would have to trust other drivers to yield to me, and I would have a restricted view of where I was headed.
However, this is still a free country and if you prefer to back out of a space, that is your prerogative.
Perry Levin
Rockville
I agree. And the way to back out without a collision is to do it v-e-r-y slowly.
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
The question of pulling into or backing into a parking space was a hot topic in your column a while ago, and most readers agreed that backing into a spot was the safer practice. Honestly, I had never thought about the subject until reading your columns. Now, if other cars aren't waiting and people aren't nearby, I always back into a spot.
