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YaBoiFluke t1_iws2izz wrote

Tailgating the shit out of people, as many people in this state do, causes traffic. It causes the entire highway to yo yo. This makes everything even more worse than it already is. They are anticipating the person in front of them breaking for a second and then accelerating, which is what normally happens.

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charons-voyage t1_iws4d9o wrote

I read a report once that said leaving a football field between each car actually REDUCES traffic and improved traffic flow compacted to tailgating. But too many degenerate nascar drivers in MA to understand that

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677536543 t1_iws4dix wrote

Thank you. This is exactly what happens. Multiple cars ride each other's asses and repeatedly tap the brakes, causing the whip-crack effect when traffic slows in front of them ever so slightly. Leaving some space and not having to brake every time the person in front of you does, does wonders for preventing stop-and-go traffic.

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Darklighter10 t1_iwsi51d wrote

I always think of this when a red light turns green. If everyone left some space, we could theoretically all hit the gas at the same time when it turns green and never be at a stop except for when it’s red.

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dubble_chyn OP t1_iws8l2i wrote

You can be closer than 5+ car lengths without tailgating. Not saying everyone should be bumper-to-bumper, but keep up for god’s sake.

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YaBoiFluke t1_iwsdz70 wrote

The average reaction time to cars in front of you is roughly a second. If you are going 70mph, it will take you approximately 6-7 car lengths to recognize they slammed on their brakes. They would also be going a slower speed than you. At that point you’d better pray your brakes are better than theirs.

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ReporterOther2179 t1_iwshpod wrote

In the situation you describe he’s keeping up, but at a safe distance.

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shakeplank t1_iwrxb7j wrote

Easy

Because it’s more efficient for traffic and easier on the brakes

The frustration you’re having is with yourself, not the person keeping a bigger length

If anything you should be thanking them. They help traffic flow better for you as you flail behind the wheel with your imaginary constructs

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dsanen t1_iws2xds wrote

They have been in accidents before, had to go thru the hassle of dealing with a totaled car, broken knees, incredible hospital or legal debt, and know exactly what would happen if someone hit the brakes.

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Own-Suit5786 t1_iws187c wrote

Safety?

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[deleted] t1_iws30c5 wrote

[deleted]

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Clamgravy t1_iws50zu wrote

Exactly what law is being broken?

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[deleted] t1_iwsr59h wrote

[deleted]

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Clamgravy t1_iwssi2o wrote

What is the legal minimum speed limit? Point out the law that states you maintain a certain minimum speed.

Also - OP pointed out they are in traffic. Distancing and not riding your break in traffic is actually beneficial to keeping a constant flow.

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kd8qdz t1_iws55po wrote

Source: Trust me bro

​

How the actual fuck is this "illegal?"

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[deleted] t1_iwscn3q wrote

[deleted]

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dubble_chyn OP t1_iwsqf4h wrote

So everyone in rush hour traffic is breaking the law? 🤔

0

writerVII t1_iws2ifj wrote

Do you know what the braking distance is for an average car (even as relatively light-weight as a sedan)?

Exact numbers differ, but many sources say it's about ~300 feet (I've seen up to 525 feet) for 55-60 mph. That's actually a lot more than 10 car lengths.

At 40 mph it appears to be around 140-150 ft, which is actually about 10 car lengths.

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goPACK17 t1_iwrwdb6 wrote

Don't forget that theyre also usually driving in the far left lane 😅

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Cheap_Coffee t1_iwurmlg wrote

And shaving at the same time. Or reading the paper.

(I used to commute into Boston on route 2. )

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DumbshitOnTheRight t1_iws22gv wrote

I'm hauling dynamite.

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kd8qdz t1_iws52sv wrote

When I drove dynamite, i was more worried about people behind me.

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ReporterOther2179 t1_iwshit2 wrote

It is to give the car ahead of them, and you, once you pass, and we know you’re gonna pass, all the room in the world to do whatever stupid they will do. Without involving themselves.

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MoreGuitarPlease t1_iws6itg wrote

I set my adaptive cruise control to 3 car lengths and just cruise. The maga trucks don’t like me but whatever.

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dubble_chyn OP t1_iws8wi1 wrote

This is the way, I do the same thing a lot of times.

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Darklighter10 t1_iwshtbw wrote

More annoying for me is when the first car at a red light does it and doesn’t move up far enough to trigger the sensor to change the light. I’ve seen people sitting there for what seems like forever until they cautiously decide to run the red. As soon as they start creeping it changes. I wonder what they think when they start moving forward and the light miraculously turns green.

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Peeeculiar t1_iwrx88y wrote

Seat way forward. Head over the steering wheel. Absolutely oblivious to everything going on around them.

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Proof-Variation7005 t1_iws30md wrote

If it's the highway and that slow, I'd assume this is very heavy traffic. In that situation, it has ceased to become a race and it's better for everyone if cars can get over a lane to take an exit without having to stop or slow to a crawl.

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InevitableOne8421 t1_iwseb1u wrote

As long as they’re in the far right lane, I’m ok with it

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ZaphodG t1_iwu2mjn wrote

I leave 10 car lengths because I’m offended by the truck nuts on the ginormous pickup truck ahead of me that is completely blocking visibility.

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Cheap_Coffee t1_iwur2jp wrote

The are courteously leaving space for you to cut in front of them when you pass them.

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Nicksucksathiking t1_iwurk7z wrote

So assholes in a rush ride my ass and get all salty about it… duh. Go around dipshit…

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metabeliever t1_iwsit3d wrote

I once had to drive a car with a leaking master cylinder in stop and go traffic. Basically I could only shift every minute or more if I wanted to use the clutch. I drove like an absolute psycho if you didn't understand what I was dealing with.

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Brett-_-_ t1_iwt91ad wrote

It is probably not a human decision that is happening. More and more cars have automatic distancing to the car in front of them when in cruise control, and the car's computers are conservative. The auto manufacturer doesn't want to get sued for a rear ender, so they set the controller to ridiculously safe

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himanshuy t1_iwut97g wrote

Social distancing.

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Que-pasa-2020 t1_iwsn322 wrote

I honestly don’t think those people think about the car in front of them. They are just set on going at the speed they’ve decided is right for them, and everyone else can work around them.

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justplayin729 t1_iwsy99m wrote

The pike today was awful with this. I’m pretty sure you can get pulled over for driving too slow.

I think it’s just common courtesy to move over if someone is going to need to pass you.

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Bobbydadude01 t1_iwuno7u wrote

Not wanting to fucking die. Cars are extremely dangerous.

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