I agree that I should've been further back, as that is the logical answer to this in any situation really. The truth is, the insignia driver had pulled into my lane 10-15 seconds earlier (still a decent distance away, not a cutting up by any means) and I had let off the throttle to let the gap open up with engine braking.
It was still the kind of gap that in "normal" situations i wouldnt have even felt miffed if someone had pulled out into it with a matched speed, and in most "normal" emergency braking situations where the car infront didnt have the aid of an 800kg block of metal traveling a lot slower than him to help slow him down, probably would've been enough .
Its is the first time ive had to do anything remotely like an emergency stop in a car with budget skinny tyres, and not great discs and pads, and I do believe that I wouldve managed to shed a LOT more speed, if not even enough to have avoided the insignia completely in my car with v. good, wide tyres and decent pads/disks. Still no excuse, it's my fault as I shouldve adjusted my driving more to the car i was driving but it's hard to contemplate exactly how much difference it makes until it comes to the crunch
I fear now that in future ill just end up having everyone pulling into the gaps ive created, as it certainl has had more of a toll on me than you believe it will have done Fox.
Also as to the 'queue' of traffic, perhaps ive given the wrong impression, it was a slowing down line of cars still doing 30-35 but all braking.