Commuting- Do police set up speed traps during rush hour in your town ?

[M A V I C]

Robert M wrote:
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.

You said Matt "nailed it." He said "not a problem if you follow the law."

If the other person is liable, how does that suddenly make getting rear ended not a problem? You've at least got to deal with getting the car repaired, if not shopping for a new car, or dealing with injuries, hospitals, insurance companies, deaths...

"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

I wasn't saying a collision would occur. (But a ten or fifteen second rule around is hysterical considering a three second rule isn't really even an option.) If the car in front slows down and I have to slow down because of it, it causes my brakes to wear, I have to use more gas to accelerate up to speed and it takes time out of my life. Those are all certainly problems someone can experience even if they're following the law.