Has anyone ever reported a driver that tailgates to close? I had a 2 year old child strapped in the rear carseat and driving the speed limit. I looked in my rearview mirror and saw this pick-up truck speeding up behind me. He got so close that I couldn't even see the headlights on his truck. I called 911 and made a report. It terrifed me to know that if the driver rear-ended me..the little child riding in the back could have been hurt or killed. The driver was pulled over about a mile ahead..The police responded as soon as I made the call. I can't believe drivers take chances like they do when so many people have cellphones to report their wreckless driving. I have a police scanner in my home..Most calls reported are wreckless driving.
2006-09-17 12:13:16 · 10 answers · asked by Sunshine 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
On the German autobahn where there is no speed limit, if you are in the left lane and you do not yield to a faster car behind you by changing lanes to the right, you would be fined.
In the same situation, if your doing 60 mph in the left lane and a Porsche rear-ends you at 130 mph, the accident is your fault for not yielding to the Porsche and letting it by.
Now, I'm not saying tailgaters are not assholes, they are, but you have got to use your head and drive defensively. The reason America has 8 lane highways full of grid lock traffic and Germany has mainly 4 lanes and no traffic jams, even with no speed limit, is because everyone in America is so ignorant and think its "their god given right" to drive how they want and don't give a thought to others.
Good job on getting him pulled over, anyway.
/rant
2006-09-17 12:48:10 · answer #1 · answered by xturboexpress 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In my experience, yes, it is good idea to call 911 to report wreckless driving, however the results are usually poor. I have called in a number of incidents but the 911 operator was either severly incompetent or the police were unable to respond in time. Nontheless, IF something were to happen, at least there would be a record of it, and you are covering yourself, which is why I would still recommend calling it in. In a case of extreme tailgating (on a two lane (one lane in each direction) road, which is where I assume this happened) you should try to pull completely off the road (not suddenly, and signal your intentions(turn signal)) at a safe place and let them pass. It is unfortunate that there are many drivers of this nature out there, but you need to make wise and safe decisions to protect yourself and others on the roadways.
2006-09-17 13:45:11 · answer #2 · answered by broham85 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tailgating is never right or safe to do so, but when it does happen, it usually means that the person being tailgated is driving to slow for that lane. If you don't drive "fast" enough, try yielding to them and change lanes. If you really drive the speed limit only, you should limit yourself to the two right most lanes on the freeway, out of courtesy.
2006-09-20 18:58:22 · answer #3 · answered by bloop87 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dear trisha, i am glad you/your child are still alive. Road rage and stupidity due to carelessness are the most dangerous forms of accidents today. as we are pressed to meet time restrictions, civility has been forgotten - no longer as drivers can we expect courtesy. i have heard of several states trying to reward good drivers and punish more severely those who violate the laws. i hope you live in one of those and it sounds like it since they pulled over the guy so quickly after your 911 call. sadly that is not the case here in fla as everyday gets worse as 1000s move here. the roads are overloaded and inadequate now. also, speaking of cell phones, i really wish people wouldn't talk and drive unless they have either a speaker phone or ear plug as both hands should always be on the wheel. several states have successfully and wisely started to ban cell phone use while driving. i don't want people not to have access to cell phones, but use them wisely. take the time to be with your friends and talk in person - saving cell phone usage to emergencies. think kindly of others, okay!?
2006-09-17 12:39:29 · answer #4 · answered by bigreddwg 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What I have learned to do is pull over and let the tailgater pass by. In the past I carried a baseball bat but that isn't the answer. If they are in that big of a hurry, just let them by. A cell phone is your second best answer. Good luck.
2006-09-17 13:26:18 · answer #5 · answered by roskez13 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A vehicle as close as you indicate is driving recklessly. He is also apparently trying to bully you into driving faster. This can be considered a form of "road rage" which several states request that you report. I would pull over and let him go by. You will then see his license plate number. TURN HIM IN BEFORE HE KILLS SOMEONE !
2006-09-18 11:11:15 · answer #6 · answered by jimbo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you had your kid with you, next time why dint you simply get out of the way? I have a 21 month old kid, but I have the common sense to stay out of the fast lane. or if some one is tailgating me, I use my brain enough to know get the way. It's that simple.
2006-09-17 12:22:53 · answer #7 · answered by Stoner 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No I just speed up a little more, slam on the brakes and watch their pillow explode
2006-09-17 12:17:04 · answer #8 · answered by waplambadoobatawhopbamboo 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You never asked a question but you did good.
2006-09-18 03:30:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cool! Why do we want to know?
2006-09-17 12:16:21 · answer #10 · answered by PrerdyCountryGal 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋