Recommended following distances are not a liberal conspiracy.
Dashcam footage first uploaded to the CrashVehicles2 TikTok account and then shared on Reddit’s /r/IdiotsInCars subreddit shows a truck convoy of proud, flag-bearing Americans following each other a little too close down, what one Redditor confirmed is, a Phoenix, Arizona freeway.
According to one of the driver’s involved in the collision who commented a thorough explanation on this blog post, the dash cam footage is actually from three years ago filmed “…during a Memorial Flag run from Arizona National Memorial” which seems to have popped up and gone viral, yet again, on the popular TikTok video app.
Check out that portion of the viral dash cam footage below and the rest of one of the truck driver’s comments in the comment section.
@crashvehicles2 #tiktok #explore #shorts #cars #crush ♬ الصوت الأصلي – Idiots In Cars
Here’s his official explanation what happened that day three years ago verbatim.
“We were traveling about 50mph (speed limit is 65mph), some trucks had emergency flashers on. The road had construction and the roads were somewhat graded (as if it was going to be re-paved.) None of the convoy was weaving in and out of any lane. We actually had other vehicles in front of us that separate the convoy. We weren’t aggressive and just going with the flow. We were nearing an intersection that had an adjacent lane for the on and off ramp.”
“The red dodge, #4, transitioned in–between the #3 and #5 truck. #4 was following #3 vehicle about half a car length intending to take the upcoming exit. The #3 is a lifted Tundra on 37/’s with overland setup (nicely put together, beautiful truck). Definitely a challenge to see around him, especially with 3 waving American flags. #5 vehicle had the same distance to the #4 vehicle as I did with the #5.”
“All of sudden, the cars in front of us decide to actual stop in the freeway lane due to intersection merging and people not using the zipper method. I saw #4 vehicle brake lights come on and so I let off the throttle.”
“The first truck, #1, hit the brakes hard and stopped. #2 hit brakes hard and safely came to a stop. #3 slammed on his brakes and slightly tapped the #2 vehicle, and immediately #4 slammed into the rear of #3 causing the #3 to lift up and proceed further into #2 vehicle.“
“While that happened, #5 vehicle attempted to swerve left to avoid #4, but with the impact of #4 into #3, the rear of #4 bounced into the other lane causing the #5 right front corner to hit the left rear corner of #4. All the forward motion allowed for #1 vehicle to get hit from behind by #2.”
“I slammed on my brakes since I had #6 vehicle to my left and there was no where for me to go. So aimed for the pocket. #6 attempted to stop in their lane but their right front fender hit #5‘s left side. I was able to stop and not hit anyone. The car behind me was able to stop within inches of my rear bumper. I would like to thank O’Reilly’s auto parts store for the awesome brakes. They worked as advertised.”
“It easy to judge a wreck once you watch it over and over. But on my video, there was no indication of traffic coming to a complete stop. How would you know based on what the dashcam captured? You can’t. I’m sure the Internet “driving experts” would have a different opinion which is fine but how about they prove it with the exact same scenario and time that we were given.”
“I agree everyone should keep a proper safe distance but when that safety distance is taken away at a blink of an eye, that’s how accidents happen.”
According to the Arizona DOT and practically all other state DMVs, the rule of thumb for a safe following distance with the vehicle in front of you is to establish a 3-6 second buffer.
“…use the “3-6 second” rule to determine if you have enough cushion between you and the vehicle you are following…The space between you and other vehicles gives you (and the other drivers) time to react in emergencies and avoid collisions.”
Unironically, you need to increase that following distance buffer by one or more seconds if you drive a large vehicle like a truck and/or are following a large vehicle (among other reasons.)
Take note you flag-waving truck owners out there, I know you want to keep a tight convoy going down whatever freeway you’re going down, but you’d better have extra strong brakes and lightning quick reflexes if you want to avoid crashes because of sudden braking events.
Or, as recommended, you can just follow each other at a safe distance.
Soooooo, who gave permission to use my video for your article.
Please remove this article because what you post wasn’t true at all nor dod you have my permission to use it.
Hi James,
So I’ve removed the video off this post and replaced it with the publicly available TikTok which is still up. So, what DID happen? It’s pretty clear in the video several in the convoy were following each other too close. That’s indisputable. I’ll add your actual account of the events into the post.
Yeah, I saw the tiktoc video too. Comments were brutal too but entertaining. I look forward to speaking with that guy too. It’s actually a 6 car accident. Whoever screen captured this cut out the left side part of the video. I have the dashcam of the front vehicle too. So between myself and the front truck we have the entire incident captured with our front and rear dashcams.
3yrs ago, we were doing a Memorial Flag run from Arizona National Memorial. We were traveling about 50mph (speed limit is 65mph), some trucks had emergency flashers on. The road had construction and the roads were somewhat graded (as if it was going to be re-paved. None of the convoy was weaving in and out of any lane. We actually had other vehicles in front of us that separate the convoy. We weren’t aggressive and just going with the flow. We were nearing an intersection that had an adjacent lane for the on and off ramp.
The red dodge, #4, transition in between the #3 and #5 truck. #4 was following #3 vehicle about half a car length intending to take the upcoming exit. The #3 is a lift tundra on 37’s with overland setup (nicely put together, beautiful truck). Definitely a challenge to see around him, especially with 3 waving American flags. #5 vehicle had the same distance to the #4 vehicle as I did with the #5.
All of sudden the cars in front of us decide to actual stop in the freeway lane due to intersection merging and people not using the zipper method. I saw #4 vehicle brake lights come on and so I let off the throttle.
The first truck, #1, hit the brakes hard and stopped. #2 hit brakes hard and safety came to a stopped. #3 slammed on brakes and slightly tapped the #2 vehicle, and immediately #4 slammed into the rear of #3 causing the #3 to lift up and proceed further into #2 vehicle.
While that happen #5 vehicle attempted to swerve left to avoid #4, but when the impact of #4 into #3, the rear of #4 bounce into the other lane causing the #5 right front corner to hit the left rear corner of #4. All the forward motion allowed for #1 vehicle to get hit from behind by #2.
I slammed on my brakes since I had #6 vehicle to my left and there was no where for me to go. So aimed for the pocket. #6 attempted to stop in their lane but their right front fender hit a #5 left side. I was able to stop and not hit anyone. The car behind me was able to stop within inches of my rear bumper. I would like to thank O’Rileys auto parts store for the awesome brakes. They worked as advertised.
It easy to judge a wreck once you watch it over and over. But on my video, there was no indication of traffic coming to a complete stop. How would you know based on what the dashcam captured? You can’t. I’m sure the Internet “driving experts” would have a different opinion which is fine but how about they prove it with the exact same scenario and time that we were given.
I agree everyone should keep a proper safe distance but when that safety distance is taken away at a blink of an eye, that’s how accidents happen.
You quote California law for something that occurred in AZ. Nobody cares about CA because if you did you wouldn’t have all moved here.
The three-second buffer suggestion isn’t California law, it’s a general rule of thumb. But, just for you, I updated the blog post with what AZ’s DOT says. Guess what? They say the exact same thing.
I feel the same way every time I see a crash involving cars with LGBT stickers on their vehicles.
Nice reporting dumb***. I have an idea do better. Instead of asking what happened you just make **** up. Great job. And we wonder why no one bothers with the news anymore.
I got the story, didn’t I?
Is that what you call it? Getting the story. You made up a bunch of stuff. Until those involved called you out. I don’t call that reporting let along good reporting. ?Great job
You don’t know what you’re replying about. In the original post before the actual dash cam owner commented I literally JUST pointed out that they were driving too close to each other, which they were. I threw in some other quotes off Reddit so it wasn’t so short but…that’s it.
Oh and changing the whole article after getting called out. Because “you got the story ” makes your reporting all the more unbiased and believable. Great job ?
For the record, here’s the original blog post for you (or anyone) to dissect. As mentioned, just pointing out what I saw and some fluff from Reddit.
—
Dashcam footage first uploaded to the CrashVehicles2 TikTok account and then shared on Reddit’s /r/IdiotsInCars subreddit shows a truck convoy of proud, flag-bearing Americans following each other a little too close down, what one Redditor confirmed is, a Phoenix, Arizona freeway.
Suddenly, one of the trucks up front brakes causing a chain reaction of crashes because, as mentioned, none of them were keeping a safe following distance.
At least four trucks rammed into each other causing several thousands in damages they’ll all most likely pay out of pocket.
“I’ve seen this ‘convoy’ when I was driving to Phoenix to see my mom,” /u/SnooMarzipans1262 commented.
“They drive like maniacs, and cut off anyone/everyone. And, they’ll absolutely harass a vehicle with any decal that shows LGBTQIA+ support. It makes me happy to see these a**holes suffer.”
That specific Reddit thead’s since been closed by the mods for presumably breaking the first rule to, “Keep it light,” but, not before several one-line zingers worth reposting.
“Lions don’t believe in brakes.”
“2 second rule? The only second I follow is the Second Amendment.”
“Always LARP safely.”
“Don’t tread on my brakes!”
And, my absolute favorite,
“Blindly following the leader.”
According to the California DMV and most states, the rule of thumb for a safe following distance with the vehicle in front of you is to establish a three-second buffer.
Unironically, you need to increase that following distance buffer by one or more seconds if you drive a large vehicle like a truck and/or are following a large vehicle (among other reasons.)
You can time it yourself from the video, but it looks like the dash-camming truck was following his Patriot bro leaving a two-second gap which gave him just enough time to stop, narrowly avoiding another convoy crash.
His fellow Patriot bros, on the other hand, where presumably following each other even closer.
So, take note you flag-waving truck owners out there, I know you want to keep a tight convoy going down whatever freeway you’re going down, but you’d better have extra strong brakes and lightning quick reflexes if you want to avoid crashes because of sudden braking events.
Or, as recommended, you can just follow each other at a safe distance.”