You leave the gap for yourself, to have an out if you see a vehicle failing to slow approaching you from behind. Be on the far outer or far inside lane with an apron, shoulder, emergency lane or median to pull onto rapidly.
I drove up on the immediate aftermath of a very similar accident on I-77 in North Carolina only a few weeks ago, just below the big grade heading up to Fancy Gap, Virginia on the other side of the state line. Traffic stopped due to lanes closed for construction. A truck driver didn’t even brake.
It was awful, I have no idea how anybody in that car survived, but they both were pulled out alive, from Roanoke Virginia. It affected me so that I followed the story, it very easily could have been me and my family. Anna Guardipee and Jennifer Burton. Ms. Burton later passed away. That car was unidentifiable, crushed between the semi that rammed it, and the semi trailer in front of it.
So, immediately be on guard for overtaking traffic if you’re forced to stop on an interstate, leave yourself an out. Several car lengths, and somewhere to go if a truck driver falls asleep or is texting.
I love that drive through Fancy Gap. Beautiful scenery. Some of the nicest farms you’ll ever see.
Lot of trucks, though. Gotta keep your head in the game.
You're supposed to be focusing on the traffic ahead of you, not what's approaching from behind.
What's going to protect your ass when you are slowing down to 15 mph in a backed up construction zone with your eyes ahead and a full size pick up doing 65 mph doesn't see the traffic slow up and slams full speed into the back of your car?
My best friend's wife was killed instantly in such an accident 3 years ago..........