[oldE]

Heading up the highway the other day with the Missus I noticed something up ahead and braked to take off some speed. After a second or two she remarked the drivers ahead did not reduce speed until after I had. I realize at nearly 70 years of age, it is probably not my amazing reflexes so then why the difference in reaction to a potential hazard?
Thinking about it I came up with two possibilities: First there is experience. I vividly remember the time a young bovine wandered onto the road in front of the motorcycle I was riding. I foolishly guessed the critter would pause on the other side of the road and I would be able to get by. That wasn't how it went down, but I did. Even though I haven't ridden for a few decades, my default setting is to assume the worst. Usually it doesn't, so all is well. That works for me.
The other possibility is I am looking farther up the road than the drivers ahead of me. I hate surprises. I want to know what are the conditions and possible hazards on the next piece of road. I remember being a passenger with a co-worker a while back and wondered why his speed was so erratic and why he wasn't taking overtaking opportunities when they arose. Eventually I figured out he was driving off the front of his car. Other vehicles and road conditions didn't register with him until they were right in front of him.
I suspect many here, being automotive enthusiasts have learned to be better drivers because driving interests them. Am I on the right track here? Do you find yourself reading traffic and trying to predict the moves of other drivers?
I talk to some folks for whom heavy, fast moving traffic is a nightmare. I find a zen quality to it. Then maybe I'm just a nut.

Best
Les