why do some drivers tailgate?

I'll back him up. There's no way a big truck is going to stop faster than a four wheeler unless it's something out of the ordinary like in the video above and at that point it's irrelevant.

 

In a survival situation, you do what you have to do.

 

The Smith System programs I saw advised using what they coined as the lane of least resistance. This was determined by them to be in a 3+ lane highway to be that 2nd lane from the right. However in almost every state with 3+ lanes CMVs are prohibited from using those left lanes. So yes the Smith System (at least the last time I saw it) did teach to stay out of that far right lane. I understand what the Smith System is trying to do. However in the real world it causes problems if followed on very busy freeways.

 

The SUV had one second of following distance. It takes half a second to perceive danger and another half second to react. By the time that driver applied the brakes, they were already closing fast on the rear of the trailer. That's why the minimum recommended following distance in a 4 wheeler is three seconds and 6 seconds in a big rig on dry pavement.

As for the observation that this was an "unnaturally fast stop", I disagree. Watch crash compilations and see how "naturally quick" vehicles can stop, pinballing in all directions, sudden swerves and predictable over correction and going sideways across all lanes of traffic or crossing the median, hitting barriers and spinning into traffic, etc.

As professional drivers we should expect the unexpected.

 

Well obviously you have more experience than I, I see cars stuck under the back ends of trailers on to regular of basis.

 

Show me where class A trucks stop as fast as the one did in the video under normal operating conditions? That truck stopped so fast due to the obstacles it struck in front of it. I suggest you rewatch the video very closely.

 

Following distance isn't for the ideal driving situation, its about being safe when the unexpected happens.

 

Sorry about your luck.

 

Its not bad luck at all. It's just what I see on a regular base.

 

Those who seem so concerned about following too close should just stay in the granny lane.