harassment and tailgating?

Question

Does anyone think that I could bring a prosecution for harassment, against a tailgater

Answer 1

With all the road rage best to call the police if you have a cell or pull into a populated area away from them call the police.No sense in get your car bumped or yourself. Get tag number.

Answer 2

The first challenge is how to identify the driver, in a manner that is safe for you to do so.

I live in a state where only rear of car has license plate.

If you are in a state with license plate front & back, consider installing a camera system that is inside trunk of car (protected) but with a hole, like the DC sniper used, and combined with a radar system.

the radar unit points backwards, and is tied to your speedometer, so the associated computer knows how fast y"all going, and how far the vehicle behind you is, and if that is a safe distance for the speed Y"all going or not. If not, the camera takes pictures, including license plate in front, driver picture. The record also have GPS tracking where this happened, and quality digital clock showing time it happened.

Ok, so you have your evidence, and it was captured without you having to do anything dangerous with your driving. The computer system also has how many instances same person for how long being a nuisance.

You do not have a legal right to DMV records of who is the registered owner that license plate.

Perhaps before arranging any of this, question your local police & DA with respect to whether they think this is a joke, or they take seriously.

If they no action, because they too busy with rapists, murderers, domestic abuse, arson, etc. then there is question of whether a private attorney is willing, on your behalf, to go after the people who tailgate you.

Answer 3

It would be hard to prove without any witnesses. If a cop actually saw it, pulled the driver over, and you stopped also, you might have a chance. But I doubt it. Your best bet is to simply let them pass at the first opportunity. No point in getting all riled up over it. You're never going to see them again anyway.

One Detroit-area motorist recently tried to take matters into her own hands, but definitely went about it the wrong way. She tried to get rid of a freeway tailgater by pulling out a handgun and shooting. When her case went to trial, she claimed she only shot into the air to scare the tailgater off, and was justified in doing so since the tailgater was the instigator. She was certain the jury would agree with her. They didn't.

What it all boils down to is the fact that if this woman had just moved over a lane, she'd be living her life normally today instead of sitting in prison.

Answer 4

It is possible to take out a civil case against a driver for reckless endangerment. However it will be extremely difficult to prove. Next time it happens phone the police from your car and tell them that the driver of the car is trying to force you off the road.
The police will respond quickly and at the very least will have a stern word with him. Potentially there can be serious consequences from tail gating, however if possible move over to the next open l/h lane and get out of there way.

Answer 5

i would at least file an incident report. this way if something bad were to happen, a previous incident was recorded and then something can be done about it. not much will happen for tailgating unless there was a form of assult or threat.

Answer 6

Without witnesses it would be your word against his/hers. I do sympathise with you though, it is really annoying when some prat is stuck up the back of your car. If you have to stop, he/she will still be thinking about it as they plough into you.
When it happens to me, I start braking and slowing down, they soon go roaring past waving at me!!

Answer 7

yep.. depends where it was.. if you report it to the police and have the drivers details.. and you specify the route perhaps they have it on CCTV.

I have idiots do that the odd time on the motorway in big lorries. Like one night it was raining badly and he was driving like a mental, due to the weather i couldn't see his plate, but it was highly dangerous.

i find myself driving defensivly more due to idiots who don't know the rules of the road or who think they are an F1 driver.

crush anyones car who don't pay insurance.. i'm fed up of paying extra cover incase one of them prangs my car.. half of them drive flash cars, but don't feel they should buy insurance.

Answer 8

anytime someone tailgates my mum she slows down...she gets slower and slower til they back off. soon as they back off she speeds up again. if they start tailgating again she slows down again. they get the message eventually.