The Psychology of the "Pace Car"
Most drivers hate being stuck behind someone going exactly the speed limit, often referring to them as a "rolling roadblock." However, these drivers—unintentionally or not—act as "pace cars" that regulate the flow of an entire highway. By refusing to speed, they force the "speeders" behind them to travel at a safer velocity, effectively lowering the kinetic energy of the entire traffic stream.
This highlights the tension between individual desire and collective safety. While the individual wants to go 80 mph to reach their destination, the "system" is safer at 65 mph. The "pace car" driver is a reminder that on a public road, your speed is never just your business; it creates a "speed envelope" that everyone around you is forced to live within.
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