Hi Kay,
I can see the first person in line to take 3-5 seconds to be sure it is okay to go before going.
But the 10 cars behind them all take an additional 3-5 seconds each as well. Why? What is new? Are we all going to stop at green lights and pause and take 3 seconds each to survey and decide and then move, one-after-the-other? 30 seconds after the green light, then I can move? 10 lights like this to get home? 5 minutes doing nothing but waiting on other people? If the first guy took 5 seconds to figure out if traffic is clear and so on, cool. Then form a freaking train and get on with it.
It is safe to "just go" when you have all the information.
If I am stopped at an intersection and have clear view of all traffic, if I had a formula 1 race car I would smoke people at the light because I know what is there, what is not there, and so forth. There is NO need to be worried about cars materializing out of nowhere. If you see a car coming at high rate of speed towards the intersection, hold on and see what happens. If all lanes in all directions are stopped, and you are waiting for the green, punch it when the time comes! If you worry that some car will be in your way, then you are admitting you didn't look well, or remain aware of your surroundings. If you know objects can be hidden, then you never had clear view of the area and should be cautious. But seriously now, if you are at a plain simple 4 way intersection with no visual obstructions and you are aware of things, just go.
If you know what is there, you know. If you have doubts whether or not to go, it is because you can't see everything and THAT is when you need to be so cautious.
Yeah, I hate driving in congested traffic.
What grinds my gears is life