[dragontamer]

1. By accelerating dramatically off the line, you're telling the other cars that they are driving too slowly.

2. Alternatively: you may be sending a signal that you want to drag-race with someone. And nobody likes it when drag-racers start playing on public roads. Keep that stuff off the streets and on the track only.

Now sure, if the cars next to me are driving slowly, I'll leave them in the dust. But its not something I'll do on every green-light, and its something I'd do only if they're going exceptionally slowly (ex: driving 40mph in a 60mph zone)

Those are the two signals I perceive whenever someone accelerates strongly off of a green light: either #1, or #2, depending on context. There's certainly a time to signal #1, but its a relatively rare event.

[velp]

If you take someone accelerating quickly from a light as a signal that you're driving too slowly, you probably drive too slowly. I don't think its a signal at all - and who really cares if it is?

[DennisP]

To me, all it says is you enjoy your fast car. I don't see any reason to take offense, and if you're ahead of me, it means you're not in my way.

[CamperBob2]

1. By accelerating dramatically off the line, you're telling the other cars that they are driving too slowly.

Which they often are. No fuel or pollution is saved when you creep away from a light so slowly that it keeps several cars behind you from making it through until the next cycle.

[newnewpdro]

Since when is the priority to not offend the drivers around you?

We must live in completely different worlds.

My comment re: antisocial was more in reference to noise pollution and disturbing residents at home where they have a reasonable expectation of peace and quiet.

[dragontamer]

> Since when is the priority to not offend the drivers around you?

Caring about others is pretty much rule #1 about living in a polite society. People who don't care about others are called sociopaths, literally anti-social behavior.

Prioritizing safety on the streets, making sure you send clear signals with your actions, etc. etc. Its all part of driving and being a good citizen on the road. Part of that is absolutely understanding how others perceive your driving behaviors: if you're driving too slow, too quick, if your high-beams are too bright, etc. etc.

Its also about understanding why motorcycles lane split (safety + efficiency), and other behaviors. And a lot of it is cultural: different areas have different cultures so its not a one-size fit all approach either.

[leetcrew]

if you accelerate quickly to the legal limit and others take it as an invitation to drive recklessly, that sounds an awful lot like their own problem.

I agree with your other comments about driving in traffic. avoiding large speed differentials when you are surrounded by other cars is very much your responsibility.

[dghughes]

> avoiding large speed differentials

That would be (or should be) the entire point of a posted speed limit, go with the flow. There should also be a lower speed limit.

On roads I would bet many crashes occur due to the difference in speed between vehicles. Speeding motorcycles, slow trucks, fast sports cars, all of which would be around vehicles of moderate speed.

The reaction time for the faster vehicle driver is different than the the drivers other slow vehicles. Also consider not all drivers have the same experience. Those differences are dangerous.

[CamperBob2]

That would be (or should be) the entire point of a posted speed limit, go with the flow. There should also be a lower speed limit.

You can't have both. Suggest doing some Googling for a topic called the "85th percentile rule."