Driving & Driving Test Tips: Passing on Interstate Highway, poor impulse control, nascar races


Question
I have been driving in the U.S. for about 35 years (plus 5 in Europe) and it seems to me that there is a significantly increasing tendancy for people to pass me on an interstate highway and then to pull almost immediately back into my lane without leaving me enough safe stopping distance (is it still one car length per 10 mph speed?) in case of an emergency stop by them.  I don't necessarily mind this if there is extremely dense traffic (not to mention dense drivers) but this happens frequently when there is no other traffic for miles.  And it's especially annoying (and unsafe) when it's raining because the moisture thrown up behind their vehicle greatly reduces my visibility.  My gut feeling is that people are being taught in driving school to pull back into the right-hand lane after passing as a matter of course and without using common sense and good judgement for the consideration of others on the road.  (Either that or they are getting some kind of thrill from seeing how close they can come to my vehicle as a result of seeing such passes in NASCAR races.)  I'd be interested in your comments and the comments of any others who may have noticed this fairly recent phenomenon.  (I normally drive the speed limit plus 3-7 mph depending on conditions so when anyone passes me they're probably doing at least 75 mph in my state.)

Answer
Dear Edward-

Your question is a great one because it addresses a couple of issues.

First, I have a firm belief that teenagers are being taught the correct techniques in driver's education.  It is poor impulse control and bad role models that have the biggest impact on teenage driving.  For example, it is safe to assume many if not most drivers would prefer to drive faster than they are legally allowed to go.  Place that with the fact "everyone does" along with media messages telling us that fast cars make us desirable for many reasons and last the simple fact that you "want" to is too much for most drivers, especially teenagers.  In the case you mentioned, I as a professonal teach not to remerge until you see the car's headlights in your rearview mirror.  The behavior you mention sounds more like a road rage issue to me.

But getting back to your question, you are absolutely correct.  Many drivers are not allowing near enough space for passing.  The rule used to be one car length for each 10 mph in speed.  Actually, safety experts measure it differently now and call it the two second rule and at freeway speeds it increases to the four to six second rule depending on weather and road conditions.  The two second rule is that we count off at least two seconds of distance between us and the car in front of us.  If you have less than that you should slow down to increase your distance.   Sound like alot of space?  It is, but remember that 85% of all accidents could have been avoided if the driver came just ONE more second of time and space.

Good luck and stay safe,

Michael