Quote:
Originally Posted by UFO
Following closer than 2 seconds is dangerous, and is often cited the root cause of pileups. Joke all you want, drafting is far less safe than not.
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2 seconds is a rule of thumb. Where did it come from? Is it based on some study? 2 seconds is much closer than you think and not that much different from what I recommend. At 65mph, a 2 second following distance is only 59 meters. There will still be some beneficial draft from a truck at that distance. Behind a car that is just dirty air. Better to drop back. I recommend 40 meters from the back of a truck as the best blend between adequate safety vs fuel economy gain. That is 1.35 seconds of space. Now you are 60 meters behind the next DRIVER in front of you so there is your 2 seconds. But, these are advanced driving skills and may not be for everyone. Anyone that doesn't feel safe following at 40 meters, please do not do it.