called 911 on a tailgater today

[GoodyTwo]

Jesus, people; if you’re going try and mount a valid argument, could you at least learn to use the quote function so your posts are somewhat intelligible?

[Sithly]

Whoa, no need to get frothy.

It would be interesting to study the effects of road rage vs. the effects of COTH rage.

[Renae]

marta I used to live in New Jersey myself, on Route 202 where it is 2 lane just south of Mahwah. Drove a big 4 horse slant + tack room + living quarters trailer. When I would pull out on to 202 no way around it I would almost always have someone tail gating me, people would see me coming and run stop signs so they could pull out in front of me, cut me off so they could pull out in front of me even on a few occasions, even though the road changes to 4 lanes just a few miles in either direction. I minded the road ahead of me and drove safely for me and my load- you can not change the behavior of other people on the road and brewing and stewing about it does effect your driving. So please, mind yourself and your driving and keep safe, but I guess as some others here have said we will have to agree to disagree because you seem hell bent on returning the road rage.

[marta]

Whoa, no need to get frothy.

It would be interesting to study the effects of road rage vs. the effects of COTH rage.

in my experience coth rage wins hands down

[Sithly]

in my experience coth rage wins hands down

Agreed. At least your communication with other drivers is largely nonverbal.

[farmgirl88]

In a stock trailer theres a tiny opening between the floor and the bottom of the swing-out door. its hysterical to be following our stock trailer full of dairy cattle with folks tailgating it as if they are going to push it up the hill. The girls poop in the trailer and then urinate on top of it turning the manure into urine soaked slop that pours out of the opening and splatters all of the cars who are tailgating.

We just like to follow the trailer in stead of ride in the truck thats pulling it for entertainment purposes only. serves them right

[Buffyblue]

There is a sign just when I get on I-287 with a number to call if you see someone driving aggressively, so I think they (the state police) do take dangerous driving seriously. I called it on a truck once - hope they got the fool!

[JLMet]

Marta you definitely did the right thing and ignore anyone who tells you otherwise. If it was wrong to call 911, the operator would have told you. Odds are they probably won't follow up, although I do know that troopers will sometimes visit the address and question the offender. They can't ticket but they will lecture. I know this because I happen to be friends with one. Though I use that term loosely since I know he would pull my butt over in a second if I did something wrong too lol. The point of calling 911 is because if there happens to be an officer nearby and not doing anything, odds are, they will check it out. Calling 911 is not dangerous, that's what headsets are for. It's no different than talking to someone sitting next to you in the car. Texting is another story.

I've called 911 my fair share, mostly on drunk drivers, 1 driver who was not drunk and decided to try and get me hit by a tractor trailer (long story) I had done nothing wrong and still have no darn clue why it happened but people can be idiots and you bet I'll be calling 911 if they are doing something that can threaten the lives of others. I'm also one that if I see someone tailgating a trailer and being completely unsafe will squeeze my way in and fall back a bit to give the trailer more room.

Oh and tapping the brakes is actually a legitimate way of asking someone who is to close to back off a little. They teach those things in driving class for a reason.

I have road rage like nothing else, although I keep it controlled extremely well (this is why I don't own a gun lol) While I generally go a little faster than the speed limit, I don't mind if I end up behind someone who is going the speed limit. It just doesn't phase me.

And to whoever is was that said you shouldn't worry about what's behind you. That's a lot of bs. I've been rear ended more than I want to admit and it had nothing to do with my driving, I was keeping up with traffic and off course in PA (rt 33 and 22) there's usually always an accident or two a day. I stop, idiot behind me doesn't. So yeah, it is just as important as to what is behind you.

Kudos to you Marta and all the other drivers who squeak their way in to keep off offending tailgaters. 911 is there for a reason. If they have a more important emergency they will go there first but at least you called and it's on file should something happen. You're more guilty if you see something going on and ignore it.

[Renae]

Oh and tapping the brakes is actually a legitimate way of asking someone who is to close to back off a little. They teach those things in driving class for a reason.

If you had a driver's ed instructor tell you that was an appropriate thing to do they were wrong. For one thing it worsens your vehicle's fuel economy (taking your foot off the accelerator even just to touch the brakes enough to make the light come on means you have to use the accelerator again and regain the speed you were formerly traveling at, if you actually used the brakes at all you are wasting even more fuel), and secondly it is setting you up to be at fault in an accident. What if the person behind you swerves as they thought you were legitimatly stopping and they leave the road and hit a tree and die? That "what if" is just as plausible as your what if they rear end me because they were following too close.

Perfect example of two wrongs don't make a right that I saw unfold in front of me while driving once- a friend of mine was in his car several cars ahead of me. In Minnesota it is illegal to pass on the shoulder. Lady in front of him turns on her left turn signal and he starts to fly by on the shoulder, but then she actually turns right! She used her turn signal incorrectly, but he was illegally passing on the shoulder.

And if you have been rear ended more than once I have a tough time believing you are a perfect driver who has never done anything that in anyway contributed to those accidents

[867-5309]

Marta,

You did the right thing. They may not catch up with the guy but if they did maybe you put a drunk/high/dangerous driver off the road saving others---and if they didn't catch him you have lodged a complaint with his tag # and it's on record.

I keep thinking of Diane Schuler (the mom who drove the wrong way on the Taconic Pkwy recently killing I think 7 people plus herself) so many questions surrounding the events of that day. Several families would be grateful for "Martas" picking up he cell phone and calling in what they saw that day.

[Cita]

If you had a driver's ed instructor tell you that was an appropriate thing to do they were wrong. For one thing it worsens your vehicle's fuel economy (taking your foot off the accelerator even just to touch the brakes enough to make the light come on means you have to use the accelerator again and regain the speed you were formerly traveling at, if you actually used the brakes at all you are wasting even more fuel), and secondly it is setting you up to be at fault in an accident. What if the person behind you swerves as they thought you were legitimatly stopping and they leave the road and hit a tree and die? That "what if" is just as plausible as your what if they rear end me because they were following too close.

Sorry, I don't buy that. Part of the rules of safe driving is allowing enough space between you and the car in front of you for you to be able to stop safely in case of an emergency. If you have so little following distance in front of you that a mere tap of the other driver's brake lights makes you lose control of your vehicle, then YOU are at fault for not driving safely.

Okay, so maybe tapping your brakes makes your fuel economy slip from 25 mpg to 24.99 mpg for that particular trip... if it makes the driver behind you back off, it's worth it for the added safety.

I drive fast... perhaps too fast... but I do NOT tailgate. And I flash my brakes if someone is tailgating me. I make every effort to allow people to pass me when possible, but if it's a no passing area, they need to bide their sweet everloving time and give me some space. I don't want my beloved car totalled because some jerkwad thinks they can intimidate me into driving faster. And I don't even haul horses!!!

[Ridge Runner]

I have only ever called 911 for a reckless driver once and it was a dilly. A guy was pulling a single wide mobile home...and oversized load about 14 feet wide...down a busy interstate highway at 75-80 mph and was literally running people off the road. He passed us and then we followed him and called the 911 to report this guy. He did turn off an exit and we told the operator where he went. I don't know if they ever caught him or not but he took reckless driving to a whole new level.

I have to agree that slowing down, tapping brakes, and making a big stink over a tail gaiter while pulling a horse trailer is foolish. I have towed an awful lot with both small and large rigs and I can't really think of any situation where getting in a pissing contest with another driver behind me was doing anything to improve my own safety or that of my horses. As I posted earlier and others as well, making vulgar gestures and shaking fists can really backfire on you and if nothing else, is distracting you from safe driving yourself.

Maybe as we get older things like that bug us less. I dunno...but I'm a lot calmer about stuff like that than I used to be..and I just don't let it bug me anymore. Having seen a mother of two little boys die in a pointless traffic accident while I stood there holding her hand waiting for the EMT's to arrive, I can tell you that the most important thing is your own safety and being a defensive...not an offensive...driver.

[Chall]

There is another reason to call 911, and that is for the reckless drivers sake. I don't trailer, but I sure bless people who speed and swerve in and out of lanes. I don't want them to get hurt in an accident of their own making. I also drop back because I prepare for a possible wreck in front of me. Seriously, it's about everyone's safety, including the driver who is speeding, tailgating or acting in a rage. Reporting someone doesn't have to be about punishment, it can be about concern for that driver too.

[R D Lite]

Tailgating Stickers!: http://buttons.cafepress.com/tailgating_flair

My favorite: http://shop.cafepress.com/design/32728886

My favorite trailer sticker is a variation on that theme: "I already gelded the horse, and he didn't even tailgate."

[JLMet]

And if you have been rear ended more than once I have a tough time believing you are a perfect driver who has never done anything that in anyway contributed to those accidents

Well, for one, never said I was a perfect driver. Far from it. Three minor accidents total. However both times I was rear ended had nothing to do with me. And it doesn't matter whether they were tailgating or not if you are hit from behind it's generally ruled as the other persons fault. First time was at night, I was pulled over on the shoulder with my flashers going, no one was behind me at all. Out of no where this a$$ comes flying down the road and hits me. Cops were called of course and he was promptly given multiple tickets as well as a huge lecture from the cop. Still have no clue how he hit me.

The second time I was rear ended, I was on 22 and as usual there was an accident so everyone stopped (EVERYONE) person behind me was too close and not paying attention. I happened to look in my rear view mirror (habit since the first accident), saw them and knew what was going to happen but there was no where for me to go.

And yes, I rear ended someone myself. I was 18 at the time (only accident that was my fault) I wasn't tailgating but had dropped my sunglasses and leaned down to get them didn't catch the person in front of me hitting their brakes hard and ended up tapping him. No damage was done and he was as polite as could be as he admitted that he hit his brakes harder than he meant to and unexpectedly. Ever since then I make sure no matter what the speed is I keep my distance. The laws are there for a reason, tailgating is illegal, if you rear end someone it's your fault no matter what the reason unless there is strong evidence to prove otherwise.

As for tapping your brakes at a tailgater, I was taught both in school from the driver ed teacher and by the private driving teacher we hired after drivers ed. You're not hitting your brakes hard enough to slow, you're tapping them just so the light flickers on and off. Maybe this is a PA thing? Everyone I know, knows this method. Not that I've ever seen it work but we were always told about it. You can hit your brakes for any reason, if the other driver is so close that they are going to hit you that's not your fault. I think most of the accidents in PA are probably from tailgaters. At least where I am they are. Tailgating is horrible here.

[dghunter]

I will admit to accidentally tailgating a couple times (one just last night! ) It was late at night and I was on a state route and was just listening to the radio and drifted away for a minute and next thing I knew I was way too close to the car in front of me Accidents happen and yes it would have been my fault if I had hit the car but thankfully it was fine. I've been rear ended before and I was literally spitting mad. And then the a$$hat cop kept trying to tell me I didn't need to file a report

Anyways, what annoys me most is when you're already going 10 over the speed limit and someone is tailgating you. You move over once you've passed whoever you're passing and the guy moves over behind you! He's just trying not to get caught speeding so doesn't want to pass you! Now if you have a deer run out in front of you, he's going to wind up in your backseat. And at 70+MPH I just don't find that fun.

[lilblackhorse]

i liked the sticker (more succinct than the gelding one) which said "are your reflexes as fast as your car?" Touche

Marta, I still think you did the right thing. And Renae? One more reason for the ignore button. What a blessed thing.

[matryoshka]

Some roads in PA have spacing diamonds, or some other marking to educate drivers about how much space they should leave between cars. Also, they have numerous signs urging drivers to report aggressive driving. They'd applaud a call to report a tailgater.

I guess they figure education and reporting are the best ways to improve driving. Not sure it works, but I like that they try.

[saje]

You don't have to tap your brakes, just hit your emergency flashers a time or two.

[Skeezix]

"And if you have been rear ended more than once I have a tough time believing you are a perfect driver who has never done anything that in anyway contributed to those accidents"



Well, Renae the first one was sitting at a red light. The funny thing about red lights is that even when they turn green you still can't move until the car in front of you goes. I haven't figured out yet how to make my car jump over traffic!

The second one was in traffic and the car in front of me stopped to make a left turn. Car behind me didn't notice even though I had stopped and my brake lights were working just fine. Still haven't figured out how to make my car jump other cars though!

The third one was at a yield sign, and last time I checked that means that if someone is coming along in that lane you can't jump them either, you kind of have to move into traffic as you fit. I just can't make my dratted car jump other cars. Really wish I could though. I never called the police a single of those times, I drive an old car so extra dents and such don't bother me. What does bother me is that it does make me a bit sore for several days after.

Didn't realize I was such a lousy driver. Still working on how to make my car sprout wings!!!