why do fellow drivers tailgate? is there an actual reason?
 

All too often I am tailgated, very closely, by fellow truckers. I usually drive 5 over. Never under. Is there an actual reason why a trucker would tailgate or travel very close?

To save fuel?
To use me as bear bait?
To think I will actually speed up?

Most of the time, believe it or not, there is actually room for the person to pass. There is no one in the fast lane. I tested this the other day. I was going 60 in a 55. No one was in the fast lane so the covenant driver could have passed. Just to see what would happen I slowed to 55. He's still there. I sped to 60 - he's still there. Dropped again to 55- he's still there refusing to pass. anyway, was just wondering if there is an actual reason. . . :?:

Tailgating big trucks...same reason 4wheelers do it, impatience, saying "Im back here, get out of my way" (BBR's)

As far as Covenient, probably against company policy to pass :lol: :lol:

The "Ignorance is Bliss" class of driver.

maybe you have a nice shiny hiney!

Re: why do fellow drivers tailgate? is there an actual reas
 

In a case like that, I pull into the fast lane for a couple minutes, then get behind them. In my younger days I would drive on their tail for a while to try and wake them up. Now I just let them go on and stop bugging me.......

Most drivers who do that are trying to save fuel. And they do. It's called drafting. Your breaking the wind for them, and creating a vacuume for their rig to fit into. In return, your rig works harder, using more fuel, while they "get pulled" down the road, saving themselves some fuel. The idea is to increase their fuel mileage per gallon.

This is the stupidest move a truck driver makes, and has caused more accidents then what I believe to be good. Too many drivers slam on the brakes, causing a rear-end collision. But this still happens, even in local areas.

The best thing to do is just to slow down, and let them pass. Sometimes that means to 45 mph. Once they pass you, you can always get back up to speed, and always get their truck number and company when you can..... then politely let them know over the CB that you going to drop a dime on them. It doesn't matter weather you do or not, but it might keep them from tailgating someone else. :wink:

There seems to be a false economy, in drafting.

Watching the fuel flow meter, indicates that the optimum distance is about 2 truck lengths, for the best economy. That is still a little too close, for following distance, though.

Oil may go to $125, according to a wall streeter.

As of this morning it went to $104.00/pb OPEC will not increase production and blaming the high cost of fuel on poor Gov't economics. I think a bomb should accidently fall on the oil cartel.

Not a good idea to accidentally drop a bomb. Any loss in oil production would only cause a higher oil price. Better idea is to wee the U.S.A. off oil.

kc0iv