[olyjohn]

That's ridiculous. The more cars you drive near, the more likely there is to be a collision. I take off from lights to get away from the pack, and I drive away from the packs on the highway. If there's nobody near you, you can't hit them.

[dragontamer]

The #1 factor in collisions is actually speed differential.

If you are driving at a dramatically different speed than everyone else, you increase the chance of collision. I'm not saying drive like grandma: I'm saying drive the same speed as everyone else, to minimize the risk of collision. If you're too slow, you are as dangerous as going too quickly.

Someone going 40 mph in a 60mph zone is just as dangerous as someone going 80 mph in a 60mph area. Speed differential is what causes accidents. If everyone is driving the same speed, its relatively difficult to actually hit anyone (as long as you stay out of people's blindspots). That's why downshifting to 3rd (or even 2nd) to reach 60mph ASAP while getting onto a highway is important to me.

[chrisdhoover]

Speed differential when driving in traffic, OP said to get away from traffic. There is no differential when there is no car near you

[lutorm]

A rare road indeed where all other traffic is behind you...

[Dylan16807]

Being first at a red light is not very rare.

And even if there are cars adjacent, you can scoot away just fine with a speed differential under 10mph.

[lutorm]

Motorcycles do this too, and the drawback is that you are much more likely to run into someone who's just missing the red light in the other direction. And that will be a high-speed differential collision, not anything like contacting the people who are going in the same direction as you.

[pixelbash]

This is more of a risk in places where red light running is endemic. Sadly here in Auckland is rapidly becoming one of those places.