One of the better justifications for 70 mph benchmark

i beg to differ. we need to go back to 55, and more enforcement with larger fines.

in fact, i favor in car monitors, with automatic bank account deductions.

but even more than the highway, local road enforcement is abysmal, with pedestrians and bikers being routine killed, but who cares?
as long as we get to where we're going!

 

Following trucks causes cracked windshields and paint damage from rocks being kicked up. Not worth the minuscule amount of energy savings.

 

I am not sure how your suggestions would fly. Some folks can't even agree to wear face masks for God's sake!

 

oh they wouldn't. otherwise, we wouldn't be heading in the complete opposite direction. just my opinion

 

Also clears the road of upright deer, trucks don’t even slow down while making hamburger

I drove massive miles never hit a deer now 2x in a 5 year period

I’ve never seen so many in the summer ever before and now at peak season I’m even seeing them on the closed off 4 lanes running into semi wheelwells

Not sure what is going on but I’ve been altering when/where I drive out of necessity

 

Or worse. Ever wonder what a human face looks like when a semi truck kicks up a brick or a chunk of lumber laying in the road and it comes straight through your windshield? The videos and pictures are out there for those that care to see that.

Following trucks even from a few hundred feet back is moronic and these people clearly value literal pennies worth of fuel savings over their lives (and their paint job).

 

I don't think anyone said drafting trucks.

 

From his past comments, I don't believe he is following that close. More like, far enough back to not really be drafting, but close enough that people who generally dislike slow-pokes will focus instead on beating him to get past the truck.

 

Per Loyd Alter - Tree Huggers.

In scaled wind-tunnel tests, driving 100 feet behind a semi at 55 mph will reduce drag on your car by 40%. The drag reduction increases as you approach the bumper of the truck until you get a 93% drag reduction at a distance of 2 feet.

In road tests, the testers achieved an almost 20% improvement in gas mileage at a distance of 100 feet (at 55 mph) and a 45% improvement at 10 feet.

Tim also calculates that at 100 feet you have 1.25 seconds to respond if the truck slams on the brakes, (keep off that cell phone) and at ten feet you have .124 seconds. The reccommended distance at 55 miles per hour is 150 feet.

Conclusions: there are better ways to save fuel.

 

I.e., based on what I remember of Bob's practice, he could move closer.

Personally, at that speed, I prefer 250+ feet.