More dangerous: Drafting or Tire Overinflation

[RH77]

I wish to make a general observation:

When there mention of drafting, I don't see the knee-jerk reaction of caution there is to tire over-inflation.

Which do you feel is more dangerous?

Discussion to follow as the poll numbers come in...

RH77

[trebuchet03]

Drafting

The quick and not so obvious reason is complacency and comfort. People drive really close as it is, so their comfort level is okay... Slowly, getting closer isn't a thing to be worried about - and on long drives, your mind may not give as much attention as necessary...

[Who]

Driving or cycling?

[roflwaffle]

Considering that it'd be pretty hard to dangerously over-inflate a tire while driving efficiently, based on the sidewall ratings, and people drive dangerously close to each other already, I'm going with drafting too. Like most risky behavior, it isn't a problem until there is a problem, and then things go to **** quick.

[Daox]

I believe both can be done safely, but drafting is definitly the more hazardous. Drafting can provide benefits pretty far away from the back of a semi.

[SVOboy]

My tires are at 120 psi...on by bike,

But I said drafting, since I've never seen anything dangerous with over-inflation.

[Ryland]

Rear ending someone is a very common auto accident, although it's true that most rear endings happen at stop lights, multi car pile ups hurt and kill alot of people.

[ankit]

Originally Posted by Ryland

Rear ending someone is a very common auto accident, although it's true that most rear endings happen at stop lights, multi car pile ups hurt and kill alot of people.

Like this...

Notice the perfect paint on the bumper, I put a lot of care into the looks of my car and then someone hits me.


I do both at in moderation. Tires at max but not above, 44 psi. Draft at a comfortable distance behind semi's and make sure there is an exit route (open left or right lane to switch to incase of emergency), since mythbusters showed a FE gain at a far distance.

Drafting is definitely more dangerous and should only be done in the right conditions IMO. Good brakes, visablilty, exit route, not putting anyone in danger for FE.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

I've had blowouts and none of them have been a big deal. "Pshh! flub flub flub flub. Oh, what's that?" Pull over, maybe curse a little bit, put the spare on, go. I'd much rather do that than rear-end a semi or have them kick something up.

I'm with you on this one.

[cfg83]

RH77 -

Wow, my vote makes it 22 to 0. I do the "far away draft" and I do the "close cut-in fall back draft". That is to say, I hit the turn signal as a car is passing me, cut right in behind, and start falling back. Soooooo, I never really do a tailgate draft. I am almost always following the 3-second rule, sometimes 4-seconds.

I've studied the tire-over inflation thing to the point where I have no worries. I am conservative in my PSI, but I "don't fear the pressure".

CarloSW2