08-29-2013, 11:05 PM
Mavic,
"it doesn't mean the person behind you is doing the same and not going to rear-end you."
The other person is violating the law and also be liable in the event of a collision.
"So many times I've been behind a car doing the speed limit (eg 60), and when they see a cop the slow down to 40."
While that is an issue, it would still be your responsibility to be paying enough attention to leave or allow ample distance between you and the other car. Or, if that's not feasible, find another way to prevent the collision. The only exception to that I can think of is if the driver in front of you slams on his/her brakes to the point that the three second or more rule (of distance between you and the other car) or even taking it to a more extreme five, ten or fifteen second or more rule wouldn't allow enough time and distance to keep you from rear ending him/her.
Robert
"it doesn't mean the person behind you is doing the same and not going to rear-end you."
The other person is violating the law and also be liable in the event of a collision.
"So many times I've been behind a car doing the speed limit (eg 60), and when they see a cop the slow down to 40."
While that is an issue, it would still be your responsibility to be paying enough attention to leave or allow ample distance between you and the other car. Or, if that's not feasible, find another way to prevent the collision. The only exception to that I can think of is if the driver in front of you slams on his/her brakes to the point that the three second or more rule (of distance between you and the other car) or even taking it to a more extreme five, ten or fifteen second or more rule wouldn't allow enough time and distance to keep you from rear ending him/her.
Robert