. . . between me and the car ahead whenever possible since I began driving. My best friend at the time used to say, "You'd better close up, somebody'll get that space," but I knew better. You can only stop so fast and no faster.

For nearly 8 years I drove a delivery van in New Orleans traffic, and the spacing routine saved me more times than I can count. Of course during major rush hours it's hard to do, the morons will swoop in (and here they have no idea what the turn signal lever is for, so you have no warning). I have to stay on my toes. I don't drink coffee in my car, I don't have a cell phone. I'm too busy watching out for the crazies.

I leave about 3 seconds' space between me and the car ahead, more if the road is wet or visibility is poor. Should I leave more even under dry clear conditions?

__________________
* *
-- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral)
('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream)
Formerly:
'97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino

I've been trying out the "ripple" method of reducing stop-and-go traffic congestion that someone here posted a link to the other day. I get on the Greater New Orleans Bridge (and people here are as crazy as anywhere, and have no idea what the turn signal lever is for), try to leave a little more space than usual in front of me, and aim for a steady pace of 35 mph. Sure, morons swoop in, but I fall back a little and keep going.

The *best* we could hope for on that bridge at that time of day is 35-40 mph anyway, and you know, I think I'm coming closer to that average speed myself; far less "stop, accelerate to 30, slow down, stop, repeat."

Of course I wouldn't try this on the open road at 65. I'd get creamed, and would deserve it. But in this set of conditions, it seems to help.

__________________
* *
-- Paul W. (The Benzadmiral)
('03 Buick Park Avenue, charcoal/cream)
Formerly:
'97 C230, smoke silver/parchment; '86 420SEL, anthracite/light grey; '84 280CE (W123), dark blue/palomino