55mph not drafting vs 65mph drafting

[mikeyjd]

I vote that not drafting it better.

[Mustang Dave]

Not drafting is definitely safer.

[ecomodded]

4 sure and I don't think the truckers like it either , so they speed up.. most drafters are slow pokes or hope to be one day if the trucks would slow down..


edit: 4 sure its better/safer *not* to draft.

My reason is the big blind spot caused by the semi and if he runs over a 2x4 or piece of pipe / iron it could end up on someones lap.

I will still draft, if the speed is reasonable but its not perhaps the safest place to be placing myself .

[davelobi]

I had a truck wag his trailer at me one time. I backed off. I love the idea of drafting and sneak in a little once in a while but just knowing that the truck drivers hate it makes me not do much. They are trying to do their job and safety is a huge part of it especially drivers not considerate in sharing the road.

Speaking of drafting, that I never do, got up behind a truck and got "Lucky" and drafted for a little while. Sorry, couldn't help it. Really happened tonight. Took the pic for you guys, my wife thinks I'm totally nuts.
Lookie....

[counterbond]

That video of the 2x4 through the window is not a very valid argument against drafting, considering had the driver been drafting properly and tight up against the trailer of the truck, the 2x4 would have completely missed him or bounced off the side of his car

[redpoint5]

The safety issue is practically a moot point since anyone can come up with anecdotes that support and refute the safety of drafting. There simply is no data that has examined the safety of drafting, and even if there was, it would be valid only for a very particular type of drafting (2 second follow in an SUV, for example).

I believe drafting a truck can be more safe when I am on my motorcycle. The truck will clear any obstructions that could devastate me, such as a deer. There is almost no situation where a truck could stop faster than me, and I ride near the center where there is little danger of something kicking up from his rear tire.

I'm not sure why truckers would care if you draft. Is there any situation that would cause them to be in more danger because of someone drafting? My guess is they don't like people following closely behind for the same reason that nobody likes a tailgater; it feels like you are being rushed by an impatient driver.

[Fat Charlie]

It's just one more thing to monitor, one more crazy on the road that isn't acting the same way that the regular crazies are acting.

[Joggernot]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I believe drafting a truck can be more safe when I am on my motorcycle. The truck will clear any obstructions that could devastate me, such as a deer. There is almost no situation where a truck could stop faster than me, and I ride near the center where there is little danger of something kicking up from his rear tire.

I ride and was drafting a truck across NM when the truck went over (straddled) a dead tread, which I hit. No crash, just hurt on the left side. I don't draft anymore because I want to see ahead of the truck.

[niky]

Originally Posted by Joggernot

I ride and was drafting a truck across NM when the truck went over (straddled) a dead tread, which I hit. No crash, just hurt on the left side. I don't draft anymore because I want to see ahead of the truck.

This is basically why.

Statistics or not, road safety depends on your ability to see what's coming up. Considering that, at 60 mph, you are going a sixth of a mile every second... and that your reaction time is, on average, about a third to half a second, you have a very good chance of running slap bang into anything that pops up suddenly within three to four hundred feet of you.

My personal rule is... if you can't see the car in front of the car in front of you, then you're too close.

[Fat Charlie]

+1

No "but I was the right number of feet behind it!" is going to change the fact that you have to be safe.