“Big spaces between waiting cars also cut off access to right and left turn lanes that begin closer to the intersection, causing even more gridlock.”
This is the one that usually bites me at an intersection.
“Noticing that cars had to wait for the car in front of them to regain a safe spacing before they could start moving again...”
Here in Seattle the mode seems to be to leave 15 feet between cars, wait until the next car is 30 feet ahead, then go. And when turning, always go into the lane farthest away from you. The intent is so that three cars can turn left during the green light, and to block any on-coming right-turning traffic.
I leave just barely enough room to turn and escape - usually. In heavy traffic I’m on the person’s bumper. And going through the intersection I’m 5 feet from them going through the intersection. I know that is risky, but it pisses me off to see my first paragraph happen ALL THE TIME. (Exception - in gridlock I make sure I can clear the intersection, although that runs the risk of somebody changing lanes and them blocking it).
And don’t even get me started on traffic in the rain in Seattle. One would think most people would be used to driving in the rain here - it is unbelievable how much everybody slows down with a little bit of rain.