Conversely, I've found that (if I can do it), 5-10 mph faster than ambient traffic speed allows me to work through the assembling "clots" (author's usage), build a cushion between me and the Thundering Herd in my rearview, and allow me to settle at a sensible speed just a little above the rest of traffic -- but I've got to get there first. That, or just hang back in the granny lane and let the rest of them fight it out up front. Assuming I can duck a jackknife.
Best personal accident-avoidance story: one night a few days before Christmas, I finished my shopping at a certain kids' store and headed home on Houston's I-610 West Loop in a steady rain. Atop an overpass "hump", a Volvo two lanes to my left in the showoff lane suddenly began to spin gently, hydroplaning (using cruise control in the rain?), bounced off the median retaining wall, collected the guy in the middle lane just ahead of me, and then both of them , now rotating faster, took out the car that had been about four car-lengths ahead of me but had slowed down when he saw the Volvo's revolving headlights. I began braking as best my tires would permit, and the whole mass crossed my lane and the breakdown lane together and sailed off down a long, green embankment on the right (they were lucky: plenty of drop-offs along there). I kept going and didn't try to stop.
Ever since then I've hated driving door-to-door with other vehicles in the rain, much preferring to hang back or go around them.
I agree completely. They don't seem to comprehend that it's not ABSOLUTE speed that's dangerous; it's RELATIVE speed. If everyone else is going 100 mph and so are you, there's no problem. But if everyone else is trying to go 100 and you're dragging your Buick along at 45, you're way more of a threat than the "speeders." Get moving or get off the highway!
“Ever since then I’ve hated driving door-to-door with other vehicles in the rain, much preferring to hang back or go around them.”
My rule is always leave a way out, and know who is nearby behind you. Has saved my butt more than once knowing I could make a lane change fast without looking. (Yes - one time was a car that just ‘stopped’ at 70 mph. The 18-wheeler behind me barely missed him too.)
I’ll show off to my kids and say stuff like “See that van and truck up ahead? Pretty soon a white sports car is going to zip in from the right in between them.” 30 seconds later it happens. I watched the sports car zipping back and forth behind me, and figured out there next few moves.
I’m not so sure they use their mirrors that much though. Hopefully in time.