Isn't it illegal to tail people?
2006-09-21 15:52:08 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Mind games. Since cops can't pull you over without a reason, it might be a tactic to freak out the driver.
If the driver has a guilty conscious, they might end up doing something stupid, so THEN the cops have an excuse to pull them over.
2006-09-21 15:59:39 · answer #1 · answered by texgirl724 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm a retired cop - several possible reasons.
They could be reading the plate number or looking at the sticker
They could be trying to get your attention so you'll slow down w/o them having to stop you
They could be trying to get around you
They could be poor drivers
They could suspect you of something serious and be seeing if you'll run
In answer to your second question in most states it's not illegal to tailgate - probably should be but isn't. In Illinois it only becomes illegal IF you have an accident - then the charge is "Failure to reduce speed to aviod an accident".
2006-09-21 23:01:18 · answer #2 · answered by GeoWiss 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree w/ most everyone on here that answered ur question..Their are many reasons why a cop would tail gate. I'm sure, ever cop is tailgating u for a different reason. They all have their own motives.
2006-09-21 23:11:18 · answer #3 · answered by Jessica m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually if they tail someone close, they are running a license plate check to see if the car is stolen.
Yes, it's illegal to tail people unless your a cop. :-)
2006-09-21 23:03:41 · answer #4 · answered by son-shine 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My moms a cop and I asked the same question. She said they are reading your plate to run it through their computers they have in their cars, and sometimes they can't see that well. (Like my mom) :-) But she also told me some of the guys are just jerks and want you to sweve because your to busy watching them so they can pull you over. So just act like you don't notice them.
2006-09-21 23:01:48 · answer #5 · answered by geeeezzzzeeee 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They're running your plates. And yes it is illegal to tailgate people, but cops can break a lot of minor traffic violations if they are in pursuit of a perpetrator.
2006-09-21 23:00:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Typically because I am enroute to something and don't want to activate my overhead light. When I activate them, bad things sometimes happen like people running off the road, into fences, into other cars, etc.. I would rather drive up on your tail and get you to move over than turn on my overhead lights. I recommend you allow the officer to pass you.
2006-09-21 22:57:06 · answer #7 · answered by spag 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
To read the licence plates ( esp to see if the tag is expired) and to see what people are doing in the car better.
2006-09-21 22:58:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are running a check on your plates or trying to make you nervous so you'll screw up and give them a reason to pull you over.
2006-09-21 23:07:18 · answer #9 · answered by buddhafuldreamer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They want to see if its a cute chick and who is gonna give them a ticket, there the cops
2006-09-21 23:01:20 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋