{
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"path": "/post/28736618",
"publishedAt": "2026-04-19T19:14:06.000Z",
"site": "https://feddit.org",
"tags": [
"Europe",
"HaraldvonBlauzahn",
"12 comments",
"https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/01/traffic-overtaking-slow-cars-catch-up-red-light-driving-research",
"feddit.it/post/28637207",
"royalsocietypublishing.org/…/The-Voorhees-law-of-…",
"poliversity.it/users/…/116419204210303856"
],
"textContent": "submitted by HaraldvonBlauzahn to europe\n80 points | 12 comments\nhttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/01/traffic-overtaking-slow-cars-catch-up-red-light-driving-research\n\ncross-posted from: feddit.it/post/28637207\n\n> Those who use the bike know this very well: in the city, speeding motorists overtaking other cars, only get one thing: **they arrive first to the next red.**\n>\n> With a simple model, the author estimated the probability that one car that overtakes another, will then be reached again at a later red light. Then he estimated the probability that the same thing will happen when there are multiple successive traffic lights, as usual in the cities.\n>\n> The result is that as fast as an aggressive driver goes, **the presence of multiple traffic lights makes it virtually certain that a slower driver will catch up**\n>\n> So, if someone aggressively overcomes you, when you reach him at the next traffic light, you can tell him that it is _mathematically proven that he/she is an idiot._\n>\n> In addition, this study has implications for the 30 km/h city, demonstrating how in urban areas _the traffic lights determine the travel times_ , not the maximum speed reachable between one traffic light and the next.\n>\n> The original scientific article is here: royalsocietypublishing.org/…/The-Voorhees-law-of-…\n>\n> crossposted from: poliversity.it/users/…/116419204210303856",
"title": "Overtaking and going fast in urban areas is not only dangerous, but also useless: a mathematical demonstration"
}