Originally Posted by mawtangent

This is probably way out in left field but I've notice where I live that there is almost a pack "instinct" among drivers when they are driving together in the same direction down a 4-lane highway (using two lanes, going one direction, of course). Sometimes as many as 4 or 5 vehicles will ride (at 65+ MPH) for miles within 75 feet of one another (taking up both lanes). When I am driving my car I hate (and try to avoid) getting "trapped" in one of these packs. Having a vehicle traveling (at high speed) closely, in front, behind, and to the side of me is distracting and I think it increases the possibility of having a crash. I try to stay at least 50 feet away from the vehicles in front and behind me. Of course I get passed (I usually drive 55 MPH), and sometimes I pass others, but I try to execute the pass quickly and get back in my safe "zone"
...anyway my point is: the pack behavior that I've witnessed would not seem to respond effectively to a surprise encounter with slow-moving vehicle in its path.