I am not talking about hitting your breaks as hard as you can. Just tapping them until your break lights come on. I have a problem with people following too close. I get very uncomfortable with it. I do just over the speed limit so they have no reason to be that close. I just tap them to let the other driver know to back off. Where I live there are always animals on the road or fallen trees. I don't want to have someone hit me because they don't know how to drive. Why was I told I have to stop hitting my breaks like that?
2007-03-18 08:28:39 · 10 answers · asked by invictus 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
To clarify, it was a police man that told me that I have to stop. When I asked why he didn't answer me.
2007-03-18 09:23:06 · update #1
I really don't know who started the term "brake check", because that isn't what I learned it as, but I know of no place where it is illegal. Properly done, it is a quick tap on the brake pedal, just enough to flash the brake lights, not to actually engage the brakes, to let a tailgater know he is too close. Slamming on the brakes is illegal if you aren't avoiding a collision with a person, vehicle, animal, pothole, etc. Tailgating is illegal and dangerous, and some states have been bringing in large minimum fines in recognition of the danger of the practice. The first step is to slow down a little to leave more room in front, in case you are hit from behind. The next step is to flash the tail lights or brake lights, and that is in pretty much every driving manual that I know of. Remember, if a driver is close enough to notice your brake lights flashing at him, he is illegally tailgating, he is endangering your life, he is actually threatening you with a dangerous weapon, a motor vehicle.
2007-03-18 09:08:09 · answer #1 · answered by Fred C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter if they are too close - if you deliberately provoke an accident by hitting your brakes, you can also be found to be in the wrong.
If you actually slow down, it can be very dangerous. If you can't ignore the guy behind you, try tapping the brake pedal GENTLY with your left foot while keeping on the gas with your right. This way, your brake lights will go on, but you won't actually slow down, and you get your message across to them without putting either vehicle in more danger.
Also, make sure you are in the correct lane. The left lane is for passing only - get out of it if you are just cruising. Most people will go around you if they want to go faster than you - if you let them.
2007-03-18 08:50:46 · answer #2 · answered by Me 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why do you think it is illegal? If you just tap your brakes for your brake lights to lit, and not actually braking, it is perfectly OK in any jurisdictions I happen to drive (to the best of my knowledge). And it is universally understood everywhere as a request to increase the distance.
On the other hand, if you do brake without any reason but punishing the guy behind you - this is a serious offense everywhere, because such behavior does cause accidents.
2007-03-18 08:42:05 · answer #3 · answered by Misha 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Break checking can be dangerous. If you were to stop unexpectedly, the person behind you could crash into you. If you are hitting your breaks to avoid an accident yourself, such as not hitting a person,dog, or tree, then its okay, but can still be dangerous. If the person driving behind you is driving too close, then pull over somewhere and let them pass.
2007-03-18 08:33:47 · answer #4 · answered by um yea hi 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"it extremely is why i replaced into nearer than prevalent." you in simple terms admitted to following too close. Sorry. I personal a trucking organisation and the site visitors guidelines are major to entice close. Following too close is a contravention regardless of the end result. the in person-friendly words option at this aspect is to teach that the different motive force stepped on his brakes with the 'purpose' of being hit. because you've been on a ramp it really is going to be puzzling to teach that the different motive force did no longer have a reason to sluggish that right now. regardless of what he admitted to, you'll nonetheless could 'teach intentional collision'. he's now claiming you to be at fault and also you are able to both pay the piper or teach your innocence in a contested declare. strong success.
2016-11-26 20:51:56 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not. Assuming you aren't on a freeway or similar, you are within your rights to stop as quickly as your vehicle will allow at any time for any or no reason assuming you remain in control of the vehicle. Whether it's a good idea at any given time is a completely different issue.
2007-03-19 09:57:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you really could injor your self considering the person behind you is following too close and you could really hurt them too. Either way, they are beind and will always be charged for the damage.
I just go extra slow hoping they will either pass me or back off, then if they back off I speed up. If they continue to follow my tail, I'll even go slower.
Just be careful that you do not do that in a Big City - people wouldn't hesitate to pull out a gun.
2007-03-18 08:33:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have the same problem. People cannot drive.
It is illegal BUT if you do get rear-ended the person who hits you from the back gets the ticket so it would never be your fault.
2007-03-18 08:31:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
sh!t,... I would keep doing it anyway!!!! This is the reason I LOATHE cruise control!!! Imbolsils gotta get rite on urass and pass on the right just so they don't brake and have to reset the cruise control!!!!
2007-03-18 08:34:01 · answer #9 · answered by Dotr 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they think your going to stop but your really not.
2007-03-18 08:32:49 · answer #10 · answered by Nick M 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋