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20' behind a truck? That's SOP here in Jersey, especially on the Turnpike. Less space than that if they're swerving in and out of lanes like a 17 year-old ricer.
I've never seen a tire blow on a truck, but I did see one 2 months ago where the wheels were compressed against the bottom of the box and smoking like a fiend (also covered in that mythbusters episode, I believe), so I guess I saw the pre-blown condition.
Road rage does happen, even with trucks. A couple weeks ago I was almost run off the road by an out of state charter bus: and I mean quite on purpose with the see-through bus door right next to me (quite obvious I was there) to the point where I had to slam on the brakes and nearly cause a huge pile-up or end up being pushed over the guardrail into the swamps so the bus could continue not driving as fast as he wanted since it swerved into other lanes a few more times nearly taking out a few more people.
Yes, there is aerodynamic benefit (the amount is variable) but also some increase in danger; though the amount of danger from following is relative to the amount of danger already present.
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