> Everyone whose car I've ridden in knows to do that
I also do that, and don't know anyone who doesn't. I vaguely remember that I learned it in driving school, most likely because my driving instructor didn't want to be jerked around on the passenger seat for an hour every week.
Train/tram drivers here also usually do that in stations, except when they try to make up for delays, or when they have wrongly estimated the breaking distance.
Re train/tram drivers: Especially with more modern(ish) rolling stock that can also depend on how well the manufacturer has set up the braking system.
For one instance multiple units (especially electrically powered ones) commonly have computerised braking controls, often transition from dynamic to friction braking shortly before coming to a standstill, and might possibly have some sort of automatically applied parking brake.
If the manufacturer didn't properly adjust this whole system, the friction brake as it takes over for the last few kph might be applied with too much of a "bite" and therefore cause a jerky stop which even a skilled driver might not be able to fully prevent.
I also do that, and don't know anyone who doesn't. I vaguely remember that I learned it in driving school, most likely because my driving instructor didn't want to be jerked around on the passenger seat for an hour every week.
Train/tram drivers here also usually do that in stations, except when they try to make up for delays, or when they have wrongly estimated the breaking distance.