Why do people leave 10 car lengths on the freeway in traffic???

Question

When in stand still traffic, some people leave HUGE gaps between them and the car they're in front of. Why is that?? I know it won't get one there any faster if they moved up but seeing that huge gap through their windshield can drive one crazy!! I'm honestly curious about it.

Answer 1

I don't know about huge gaps, but when I am in traffic I am far enough away from the vehicle in front of me so I can see its rear tires on the ground. That lets me pass it if it breaks down without having to reverse(which has happened before).

Answer 2

That 10 car Lengths area disappears real fast if you get hit in the rear.

Lets just say that every one is with in 2 inches of the bumper ahead of them and a big semi full of gas crashes into the last car at 85 mph, just how many cars will have people trapped in them as the flames engulf the cars?

That 10 car Lengths will at least keep help the passengers in those cars keep from becoming burnt peanut butter sandwiches.

Answer 3

Are the stopped or inching forward?   Coz if they're inching forward, it's because they're driving a stickshift and don't want to have to keep going in and out of first and clutching.

The other thing is, leaving space ahead helps if you get rear-ended.  It means you don't get pushed into the car ahead, making the accident worse.

Answer 4

so they don't die.  If they don't feel comfortable driving closer its prob cus they've gotten into an accident that way before, and do you really want them to repeat it with you?

Answer 5

Moving at the speed that freeway traffic goes, it takes at least 10 car lengths to safely come to a stop should something happen in front of you. Human reaction takes time and then stopping a hulking piece of metal moving at 60mph + takes even more time.

Think of it this way- a car moving 60mph can take several seconds to come to a stop but if a pile up happens in front of them and there is no space between them and the car in front, they will be in the accident too. Most people do it for safety but there is also the issue that the car in back is always at fault.

It is physics.

Answer 6

I do it for two reasons. First, for courtesy because it is easier for people to move from one lane to another if they don't have to fight their way into a tight spot. I don't like it when people are so close together that no one can move. Second, it allows a buffer zone between me and the car ahead in case I need to accelerate and change lanes. But I don't leave ten car lengths, maybe half that. it sounds to me like you are the one with the problem. Get over it.

Answer 7

Some people does not have good reflex so they stay in a safer position than being attached to the other car's tail.

Answer 8

So that if people are trying to change lanes, they can.  This is very considerate.  How many times have you tried to change lanes in traffic and been unable to do so.

And you are absolutely right, you're not going to get to your destination any faster if they moved up.  So I don't see why it bothers you.

Answer 9

Some people like to continuously keep moving.  They don't like to just go..stop..go..stop.  So they keep that gap so they can just keep going slow.

Answer 10

why do people drive with foglights on when its crystal clear outside? why do people drive real slow on the fast lane? why do people talk on the phone when they're driving?

coz' they are a bunch of ignorant and incosiderate dumbasses, who deserves to wreck their cars in the next guardrail.

Answer 11

because its safe, for braking.