Beware of tailgating hypermilers

Cybergal · Jun 12, 2007

Beware of tailgating hypermilers
6/12/07

Hypermiling four-wheelers who tailgate trucks to improve gas mileage have made headlines recently, despite safety warnings against the dangerous practice.

With gas prices up and no relief in sight, some four-wheelers, termed hypermilers, have become obsessed with bettering their fuel mileage by any means necessary. A common technique is drafting, tailgating big rigs to ride the vacuum the truck creates as it goes forward.

Despite many warnings against the practice, some drivers may try it nonetheless.

Too many car-truck crashes occur because cars are following trucks too closely, said Stephen Campbell, executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance.

If motorists are drafting, the truck driver more than likely cannot see them, Campbell said. Enforcement officers are on the lookout for, and will take action on, these unsafe and dangerous driving behaviors by four-wheelers around trucks.

Few driving behaviors are more dangerous than drafting, which generally prevents the motorist from seeing around the truck, said Bill Graves, ATA president.

Drafting is unsafe, illegal and significantly increases the chances of injury and death, Graves said. This practice compromises the safety of everyone on the nations highways and must not be considered a viable means of extending fuel mileage.
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e-trucker

Rocket · Jun 12, 2007

I will never understand why anybody would want to drive right behind a truck. You're basically driving blind 'cause you can't see dang doodle 'cept the butt of the truck. Stupid!

wallbanger · Jun 12, 2007

they're trying to be the first one to the scene of a fatality! Or maybe they're really fascinated by the ICC bumper, trying to figure out how fast they'd have to hit it to tear it clean off.

I don't get some people nowadays...

onexcop · Jun 12, 2007

Rocket said: ↑

I will never understand why anybody would want to drive right behind a truck. You're basically driving blind 'cause you can't see dang doodle 'cept the butt of the truck. Stupid!
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more Rocket! Think I'll make up a sign for tailgaters (Drafters) and put it on the back of my trailer. Actually, I'm gonna open a new thread on this to get ideas for a good bumper sticker. Hey, maybe we can get rich, lol. 8)

Check it out if you like.

Rocket · Jun 12, 2007

onexcop said: ↑

Think I'll make up a sign for tailgaters (Drafters) and put it on the back of my trailer.
Click to expand...

How about "If you can read this you're following too closely!" in 1 foot high letters? LOL

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Beware of tailgating hypermilers