To question where creeper learnt to drive.

[1DAD2KIDS]

Often while diving around I'll find my self stoped at the front of traffic lights. So I apply the handbrake and await the signal to go green again. Often I find the car next to be will just keep creeping forwards, sometimes half way across the junction by time lights change again. Then I will pull away and they'll still be standing

Nerr, I manage not to get dazzled as well. Strange that....

It's not dazzled as such, just very very bright red lights in your face. Much nicer to not have them.

I learnt nearly 30 years ago - handbrake, neutral, at traffic lights that you expect (from observation) to remain red for more than 10 seconds. Then (again through observation), first gear and clutch ready when it goes to red/amber so that you are prepared to drive off once it turns green.

OH learnt to drive 5 years ago, and he was taught to use footbrake rather than handbrake at traffic lights. So that's definitely a recent trend, perhaps modern clutches can cope better.

I’ve never been dazzled by brake lights.

From the Highway Code FB page, they describe it as 'glare' which is more accurate than dazzled.

The Official Highway Code
21 November 2014 ·
In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights.
This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.

Im always told by my instructor to apply my handbrake if im going to be stationary at lights for any length of time

Well you don’t need to be in gear to be on your foot brake Eggy.

I really think it’s dependent on your instructor. I had three and two were big on using the handbrake whereas one was more “do whatever you prefer”. I use my handbrake unless I know from experience that the lights won’t be red for long. Always use it at night though.

I have a little car and live in an area with lots of lorries and farm traffic - I hate being stuck behind one at lights because their lights shine right in my eyes!

I recently learnt to drive too and was also taught that I don’t have to put the handbrake on when at lights. My instructor told me that you only need to if you’re in a long queue and likely to be there a while or it’s dark so you don’t dazzle people with your brake lights.

I drive an automatic though so no chance of stalling and rolling backwards. No clutch to knacker either.

I can't remember what I was taught but I put the handbrake on as it gives my left foot a break! And the glare of brake lights at night is pretty annoying. If you are observant, you can still be ready to pull off without delay.

I just find it amusing, I just watch them creeping and creeping. I think they got to the line their going to stop now, but no they still keep creeping. Then the amber and they have just got to the point where they have put the brake on because the lights have not changed and they have creeped so much. Me biting point set just prior, hand brake off, gas on, off like a coiled spring. They be trying to re-find the biting point or high on the aromas of their burning clutch.

Also if its lights I know the timing sequence for and it will be a bit I treat my self to neutral and foot off the clutch pedal for a bit (there one junction near me it feels like if you miss the lights you have time for a quick cuppa too). Back in 1st, foot ready to find bite (my muscle memory is pretty bang on) when the penultimate lane has gone.

i love being first at the lights, and am rarely the last to leave....trying to phrase that in a way that doesn't make me sound like a boy racer but meh!

Also love toootling up to the lights and catching the change perfectly when the other lane has been patiently waiting for ages with their brake lights glaring I award myself five points for that and bonus if it happens more than once .....local town has five sets of lights in quick succession and wise lane choices can save a good deal of hanging about if the Traffic Light Fairies are on your side.

Just passed my test this weekend & I was taught when driving to apply handbrake at lights. However the car Im now driving (auto) has a handbrake foot pedal thing so it's really not practical to put on at lights as they would turn red by the time the car could get going.

I asked my OH about this who used to be a driving instructor. He said that if he thought the learner was good and had good car control, he’d suggest just using the foot brake If he thought they were a bit crap, he’d tell them to use the parking brake!

I hate brake lights in the dark some are really bright! I use my handbrake when stopped at traffic lights. I've noticed that some driving instructors don't teach the handbrake at lights method, I perhaps unreasonably judge them

If someone is driving an automatic for the first time, they might not realise that you have to keep your foot on the brake when stationary; could the 'creeping' be due to that?

I use my parking brake but like you can still beat the car next to me in my ancient diesel banger. I like to rest my foot. I figure that if I am at a crossing it's safer for the pedestrians crossing in front of me ( in case I'm rear ended). But most car drivers don't spend much time thinking about pedestrians in my experience.

Also if I know the lights will change soon I can hold it perfectly motionless on the clutch. But I don't do this for long periods in case I am rear ended.

Yes if I don't hold the brake down at the lights the car will creep creep as OP described.

Dagnabit I'm slightly concerned the handbrake gives your left foot a break...

I would guess that Constant creepers are driving automatics. I have been kown to creep at night if I see the glow from the other set of lights turn amber. I don't think I put my handbrake on at lights, I can't see how it would make a huge difference in a shunt situation. I've been shunted whilst parked, engine off, handbrake on in a small 10-space car park. The gentleman that hit me can't have been going fast as he reversed out of the space behind me.Still managed to shunt me forward and then bash me into the curb. Hand brake did not make a difference

If the brake lights are dazzling why not just look the other way?!

If you look the other way you won't see when the traffic lights change.

MummySparkle the handbrake gives your left foot a break in a manual car as you can take your left foot off the clutch.

My friend is a creeper. She drives a super nice car and thinks it makes her less likely to be car jacked if she is continuing to move, albeit very slowly. I have no idea if there is any logic or science to that but that is precisely why she does it.

Tired, you can do that without using your parking brake. Just put it in neutral!

As a pedestrian i cant stand creepers, theres nothing so disconcerting as walking across a road whilst a car slowly moves towards you!

They obviously got their driving licence from the back of a cornflake packet 🤷🏼‍♀️