I think the key to solving a lot of traffic issues would be the widespread use of unmarked police vehicles of all types. They need to blend in to be undetected. Once a police car is seen everyone drives normal until it’s no longer in sight. If people knew that any car near them could be write them a ticket they would change their driving habits.
I have seen the exact opposite.
If we had enough law enforcement, AND
They actually cared about something besides speeding,
This would not be an issue. As you say, visibility is the deturent!
In WI, the state troopers will pick a corridor and patrol it heavy, in an undisclosed rotation. For a week or two. After one day, people figure it out and it is normal for the duration, and maybe a week or two after. All the troopers need to do is drive around on the corridor.
Doesn't stop the tailgating though, because they will never be pulled over for it.
The highway I live off of is a main weekend warrior "up nort'" route. Twice a year it is patrolled heavily. You can tell, because people will keep it to around 60. (55mph speed limit)
The rest? HAHAHA, people will do 70 or 75. Or more. Now, I am not one to care much how fast people go in the boonies if they know the road and what/who lives on it etc. But this road has a driveway every 300 yards and a day care, and a few other stops along the way. People doing 85 are truly endangering others here. Normally, it is people driving a car too wimpy to pass on the two lane, so when they get impeded by someone doing 62-63(the magic "less then 9mph over so ticket is piddly") they will drive so close you can only see their face in their windshield. No lights, bumper, grill, even hood. No brake check would be needed, just let off the gas for half a second and there would be contact probably.
If there were enough state patrol to drive the highway once every three weeks, it wouldn't be like that.
Instead, when it gets that bad I drive my tow rig to work for a week or two until it calms down. I don't worry about idiots as much driving my 8300lb truck. Whats the worst they will do? Run into the pintle hook in my class 5 hitch?