It is very difficult if not impossible to maintain those appropriate car lengths. I live in Atlanta and have to drive interstate highways everyday where the "normal" flow is going 10 miles over the speed limit (75 to 80 MPH). If I leave those appropriate car lengths between me and the car ahead, then immediately other cars will fill in the gap, furthermore I will be considered a dangerous driver for not maintaining the flow.
I don't know what the answer is, if anyone can tell me, please do, I am listening. Thank goodness we will be leaving Atlanta as soon as our new home in the mountains is ready to move into.
Having folks fill in the safety gap in front used to bother me too -- until I realized that it was because you feel like you're going backwards! And of course, and of course, you aren't.
If I can see past the car in front of me I ignore the “car lengths” rule. This only applies to multi line roads, though, where there is a minimum speed limit.
The only thing I really worry about is aggressive brake checkers. I had one guy try it on my and I just kept getting closer and closer to his bumper. He chickened out and sped up.
He was on a major two lane highway with a 55 mph speed limit and was averaging 45. And there were no places to pass.
When I brake check people, I VERY BRIEFLY slam on the brakes so hard that my nose dives and my tail raises - but only for a split second. I’ve seen more than one guy almost put his car in the ditch trying to avoid me, even though it is so brief that it is not nearly as dangerous as it looks. It just makes them panic. And that is the point.
But I’ve probably done that five times in 41 years of driving. The tailgater has to be grossly belligerent AND unjustified.
Yes, when I drive in metro Atlanta, I can never maintain the appropriate distance. That is when it is all the more important to be constantly vigilant.
On rural interstates, it is not hard to maintain a safe distance.