A reminder to anyone considering drafting

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by slowmover

Any closer than not being able to see both mirrors on the sides of the truck is too close.

I agree. Never do that. I get sick of tailgators too, and people that dive into the large gap I leave behind the truck and myself.

Originally Posted by slowmover

Can I show up at your place of work and put erroneous, potentially career ending info in your employment file? Please post up that employer contact info publically.

I hope this is just a bad joke. To destroy people's careers because you are annoyed is a terrible thing to do.
You never annoyed anyone yourself then? And what punishment would you think justified for others to put on you for that?
Trailing at over 2 seconds distance (50 meters, 180 feet) is neither unlawful nor irresponsible.

Besides that, the traffic over here is so busy that it is hard to be not trailing something when in the right lane. Moving to the left means speeding up or hindring traffic. If it is not just one big traffic jam.

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

I agree. Never do that. I get sick of tailgators too, and people that dive into the large gap I leave behind the truck and myself.

Same here... for some reason there are people that equate "drafting" with "tailgating", yet it is easily possible to take advantage of the wake of a large vehicle (bus, camper, big rig) while also keeping more than a safe distance. When I do that, I will leave a lot more distance than what the majority of 'normal' drivers who are not even thinking of drafting will, and the gap I leave is often filled by one or more other drivers (though not for long since the speed of the vehicle I'm behind tends to be ~20 - 40 mph slower than the rest of traffic).

Actually, I don't mind so much when someone does dive in though I do feel for the rig driver as there is no way he/she can see the car behind. But for me, it means I can back off further while still taking advantage of the wake, so it's win-win.

[Cobb]

Keep in mind that a lot of the moving trucks are new behind the wheel of a large truck. I was shocked at how easy it was to get the keys to a 56 ft straight box truck that has 3-4 steps to climb inside the cab. All I had to do was sign some papers and read a poster about operating the truck.

[bestclimb]

I see things like this as a reminder to never drive into a situation you can't drive out of.

[RedDevil]

It suddenly dawned to me that I don't like reading how responsible drafters get blamed for speeding accidents and ignorant tailgating. No matter how clear I make that I keep a safe distance, the lament goes on.
So this is the first thread i have unsubscribed to.

[Fat Charlie]

Read the article, folks. It's not us innocent users of "found aeromods" at fault here, but malicious trailer manufacturers:

A fortunate Chevy Corvette Z06 driver in California last week came away from a horrifying crash with only a few scrapes and a story he'll never forget after smashing into the rear of a semi trailer — exactly the kind of crash that a new report says results in death too often, due to lax standards for the trailer guards that are supposed to protect drivers.

[razor02097]

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Read the article, folks. It's not us innocent users of "found aeromods" at fault here, but malicious trailer manufacturers:

I was about to post the same thing... the article isn't about the corvette crashing because of drafting. That vette slammed into a big rig for an unspecified reason.

People that draft large vehicles know there is risk and it is dangerous. Just like people that speed, tailgate, run red lights/stop signs, change lanes without looking know those activities are dangerous and risky. People still do it.

I know truck drivers are blamed for everything but I have a hard time believing the truck driver would be cited for someone running in the back of them while they are stopped/stopping.

[euromodder]

If slowmover were to move over here, he'd likely get a heart attack ...
How about 44 (metric) tons drafting you ... at (much) less than 20 ft ?

[Xist]

I remember seeing a picture like one of the Corvette ones, it may have been the second, which looks very familiar. It was stated that the owner's cell phone was still in his hand, but his head was in the back seat.

I definitely think that trucks and trailers should be designed to keep cars out from under them, but yes, if a Corvette cannot out-brake a semi, there is a serious problem.

As for the Corvette and the SUV, would it have gone under had it stopped or followed at a proper distance?

Hey Basjoos, that Corvette is not as aerodynamic as your car!

By the way, I just cannot imagine a Corvette owner driving slow enough to draft a semi, let alone being further concerned about economy to draft. I think that these two were completely negligent. Had they been trying to squeeze past, I imagine that they would have been to one side and\or at an angle.

[TedV]

Originally Posted by RedDevil

I hope this is just a bad joke. To destroy people's careers because you are annoyed is a terrible thing to do.
You never annoyed anyone yourself then? And what punishment would you think justified for others to put on you for that?
Trailing at over 2 seconds distance (50 meters, 180 feet) is neither unlawful nor irresponsible.

What slowmover is saying is here in the USA, the crash record goes on the truck drivers record even if he is 100% innocent. He could be doing 55mph in the slow lane when the Vette hits him from behind at 100mph. It still follows the truck driver and could cost him his paycheck. The stupidity of others can cost you your job. You could say that is annoying to the truck driver. It's not a joke, it is a reality that bad car drivers like the Vette in the picture have destroyed drivers careers. Bad drivers have done worse by killing innocent people from crashes they should have been able to avoid.

I do have a CDL. I drove in the past and I didn't care if you drafted me. I prefer you draft to you hanging in the lane at the edge of the trailer. It's hard to see exactly where you are at the distance. Looking in the mirror to focus on exactly where you are takes time away from me looking ahead down the road. At night, I prefer if you suck up close so I don't have to be blinded by your headlights. I can't control someones death wish if they loose control of their car from hitting debris in the road they couldn't see. I generally look ahead, try to be smooth, not wait to last minute to slam on the brakes, giving the folks behind me time to not slam me in the rear... if they are paying attention.

The 2 second rule is great, but doesn't always work out. If you are in the fast lane 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front of you, going the same speed, somebody will pass you in the slow lane dive in front of you, slam on the brakes to keep from rear ending the vehicle in front of you then flip you off because you were in the way and almost rear ended them when they slammed on the brakes. Isn't human nature grand?