Quote:
Originally Posted by Arragonis
I think we are tapping a similar thing, except I would always look to the 2 second rule when following (drafting) someone else - it also means that trucks can see your lights behind them at night. And there is quite a large area of low drag behind a large truck even at those distances.
The tailgating aspect comes from impatience and trying to force the person in front to speed up or get out of the way even if there is nowhere to go.
So there is a difference, in my view.  |
I subscribe to the two second rule; however, when it comes to semis, my first and foremost rule is to make sure that I am visible in at least one mirror. And again, we get back to the distinction being made based on intent. My problem with that is that, sure, you know your intent... but does the other driver?
And according to my instant fuel gauge, there is a significant difference between being in a close wake (can't see the mirrors, less than two-second gap) and following at what I consider to be a safe distance. For reference, I was tracking 30-32 mpg at a safe distance versus 38-40 mpg at close distance in a car that is normally seeing 28 mpg without drafting at those speeds.