system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do some drivers stay 50-100 yards back in bumper to bumper traffic.

Commute in Chicago daily. I see nothing beneficial to this regarding safety improvement, gas or engine preserving. It just pushes traffic back farther. Maybe someone can help here.

OP response: Wow I got tore up, but that was awesome! Just got back from work, apologies for going MIA and not marking explained. Lots of constructive responses, and others not. I enjoyed the links and feedback. Please allow me to explain. I was looking for answers from various drivers, those that do this and those that don't, not out of ignorance. This question was not about tailgating or road rage. Just something I have noticed a handful of people do among thousands as I sit in traffic every day. I'm not originally from Chicago, or Illinois. I moved to Chicago almost 3 years ago. The key word in this question is YARDS (0.9144 Meters), not feet or car lengths. Thank you for those who understood that. An air pocket is definitely always necessary, 50 ft is completely acceptable! At HALF AN AMERICAN FOOTBALL FIELD I got curious. This seemed extremely excessive, especially when several others cut in front and that driver will maintain that 50+ yards distance from those cars that are now ahead of them in that lane. That much braking distance isn't needed at that slow of a pace (8 mph on the way home) and I have never felt the need to "control" traffic myself, I feel like I'd hold others up. If I do drive up on this, I just go around and continue my commute. Today I wondered what Reddit thought. Maybe I could have found a different subreddit but ELI5 is what came to mind, I wouldn't be the first.
Thanks everyone, no hard feelings for the aggressive comments my way, I 100% expected that reaction from strangers online. I'm going to use this thread down the road and I hope others do as well. This thread also kept me awake at work today.
gpt
It actually lets traffic flow better. Instead of speeding up and slowing down, which can create more choke points, you slow down to the point where you are just rolling. Eventually, it breaks up the choke points and helps traffic flow smoother. Speeding up, and slamming on your breaks is what causes everyone behind you do do it to.