Am I the only one who’s observed this? When I’m driving at a constant speed but faster than a car (also driving a constant speed), and as I approach from behind, the gap between us closes at a certain rate obviously. But as soon as I pass them, both of us maintaining the same constant speed, suddenly, they appear to be dropping behind at a faster rate than when I was approaching.
Hope that makes sense!
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Speed is relation between space (miles) and time (hour). Your perception of this relationship always have to count on a third constant object (trees, houses, etc.). Which is why when you drive 60mph through the empty country sides, it feels like you aren’t really moving at all; but if you drive 60mph in the city, you’re definitely going to visually perceive the speed as much faster. All of this is to say that human perception of speed isn’t always as consistent as we like to think.
To tie it back into your specific situation. Your perception of speed was using the other car as a constant. To you, you are moving to catch up, and they’re standing still. So once you pass them, you’re perceiving it as you’re leaving them behind.
Also, drafting slingshot is a thing, and people freaking and brake when someone pass them is another thing that happens often.
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