I have noticed a lot of people habitually tailgate and just think that is the normal way to drive. I have been a passenger in their car more than once while they just carry on a normal good-natured conversation apparently unaware that they are way too close to the car in front while going 70 mph.
Very few people follow the 2 second rule. (Pick out a shadow or mark on the road ahead and start counting seconds when the rear of the car in front passes it. You should count to 2 just as the front of your car passes the mark.)
South Carolina.
I try to follow the two second rule! Inevitably someone who is behind me shifts to the right lane, then races up and cuts in front of me to “fill in” the space between me and the car ahead. Happens every time. There are many idiots who risk everyone’s lives just to get one car length ahead. Can’t drive just in the right lane...too many slow-moving trucks.
I go by the simpler ‘can you read his license plate’ rule. If you can read it, you’re too close.
Reality is that all the city freeways are full of people tailgating. If you leave 2 seconds between you and the car ahead of you there will soon be two more cars in that hole. I avoid cities and city traffic and hate to drive there. When I do have to drive in city traffic we take our F350 4X4 crew cab 4 door. They seem to respect bigger vehicles more and in an accident he with the most lug nuts wins.