No, you really shouldn't follow this closely

"KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs" (kusabisensei)
12/07/2015 at 13:00 • Filed to: Idiot drivers, PSA

So some frat bro in a bro truck (It had a Delta Chi plate on the front, so it was clear advertising) decided to follow my Silverado a bit too closely down I-75 this morning. I even said “You know, if we have to stop quickly, he’s either going to be straightening the frame of my truck, or he’s going into the construction barriers, or someone else” And then 1/3 of a mile up the road, is a Lexus with blinking brake lights.

The BMW that I’m following with a 2 second gap starts braking, so I get on the brakes, and end up having to modulate more pressure, since we are going from 65 - 0 (This happens in Atlanta. One second, you are doing 70, the next, 7). I don’t even get on the brakes hard enough to squeal or engage the ABS, but dudebro does lock the wheels, and then steers into the next lane...

Which is occupied by another truck.

You know, if you don’t follow so damn closely, and are reading the lane ahead for stopped traffic (which it ALWAYS does in Cobb County), you *might* not have this problem.

DISCUSSION (15)

Chariotoflove > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/07/2015 at 13:03

So, you’re saying he got what he deserved, but took some other poor innocent bastard down with him?

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Chariotoflove
12/07/2015 at 13:07

What I am saying is that the phenomenon of “Traffic stopping during rush hour” is entirely foreseeable, and you should alter your behavior to be ready for it.

In addition, if you are going to drive a brodozer 2500HD pickup, you also should be completely aware that it will. not. stop. like a Porsche 911. Had he been in even a normal car (Like a Camry), he would have been able to stop and stay in his lane.

It would also not surprise me if he was distracted, since I was also in a normal 2500HD pickup, and managed to stop without locking the wheels or sliding tires.

EDIT: This was also in a construction zone. Seriously. Aware that your options for steering around the problem are reduced due to the construction, you still follow too closely. I feel bad for the person he sideswiped, but not bad for his clearly out of place antics.

Chariotoflove > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/07/2015 at 13:35

Complete agreed. And the sad part is, dudebro will likely not learn from this and alter his behavior.

UnbelievablyRed > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/07/2015 at 13:38

Definitely been in this scenario before... Reaction time plus time to apply full brakes doesn’t give much margin when someone is following with a .5 second gap at highway speeds.

The worst I ever witnessed was a girl who locked up her brakes behind me and started sliding at a good 30deg angle. Fortunately, I had enough of a gap in front of me that I was able to let off the brakes and give her a little more room to recover.

Naturally, she continued to tailgate even after coming within inches of rear-ending me at 50mph.

d15b > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/07/2015 at 13:47

Dodge Ram. ‘Nuff Said.

PotbellyJoe and 42 others > d15b
12/07/2015 at 13:52

Right? i mean the name has already warned you twice.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > d15b
12/07/2015 at 14:16

He was driving a Chevy. That is what you get for using GIS.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
12/07/2015 at 14:33

So they did collide?

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
12/07/2015 at 14:38

Last I saw they were both heading for the shoulder.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Chariotoflove
12/07/2015 at 14:38

Who would have ever thought karma could come in the form of higher insurance premiums?

Chariotoflove > BaconSandwich is tasty.
12/07/2015 at 15:37

Higher for him, but ultimately for all of us. In Texas, guys like this are the reason our insurance is so high. As the Poet said, rising sewer floats all turds...or something like that.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Chariotoflove
12/07/2015 at 15:59

Ha ha! I’ll have to remember that rising sewer thing...

I see what you mean, though. For people like this, I eagerly await the day when all new trucks are equipped with auto-braking units that will apply the brakes if there’s an impending need to stop.

Really, what does it take for someone like this to have some sense knocked into them?

Chariotoflove > BaconSandwich is tasty.
12/07/2015 at 16:07

Really, what does it take for someone like this to have some sense knocked into them?

A 2x4?

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Chariotoflove
12/07/2015 at 22:39

Or a clue-by-four?

Chariotoflove > BaconSandwich is tasty.
12/08/2015 at 00:20

Ouch! I think that pun hurt more.