Following too close

[2411Show]

While out shopping this morning, I and my mother was driving to our next destination I was doing the speed limit of 45. I noticed in my rearview that a vehicle was on my bumper. A man came up behind me in a car and was so close all I could see was him/his windshield. He could of passed me or turned down another street if he thought I was too slow but continued to get closer.

I touched my brakes to alert him he was too close and to slow down for an intersection, he put his hands in the air and I thought he was in the other lane but he got behind me again. I went to turn left at the light. He turned behind me and went on the ride side and showed me a paper with my license plate number on it thru the window and speeded off. He could see two women in my vehicle. He pulled into a gas station at the next intersection and we never saw him again.

What else could I have done to stop this?

[Nobody]

http://forums.officer.com/forums/

[deputy x 2]

Everyone is always in a rush especially on the roads of Calee...adhere to the speed limit or speed that is safe for the conditions...he will eventually pass you. Personally, I wouldn't speed up because he will still ride your bumper no matter what speed you are doing. You can pull toward the right and let him pass..and if he doesn't...too bad for him.

As for writing down your license plate number..so what? He can't really do anything with it.

Glad you and your mom made it to your destination safely.

[2411Show]

Thanks Nobody and Deputyx2:

I always do the speed limit, never follow to close and mindful of other drivers. He could of passed me many times but did not. At no time was I able to get his plate as he was too close and then after showing us he had our plate he took off. My mother is elderly and easily worries - now she thinks he will sue us.

[NYCDep]

Why does it matter to the story that he was black?

[SCSO612]

Why does it matter to the story that he was black?

Or that your mother is handicapped? I can't stand when people try to slip in facts like that to win our support, pitty, or whatever.

[stillamarine]

AL Title 32. 20 feet per 10 mph. I have written it in the past.

[2411Show]

Or that your mother is handicapped? I can't stand when people try to slip in facts like that to win our support, pitty, or whatever.

I am not looking for anyone's pitty or to win someone's favor. If you didn't have an answer for me, just go by this question.

[deputy x 2]

She's telling her side of the incident. Give it a rest. 2411 show has been here long enough that most know her credibility.

The black driver was the person who was following too close for any condition and could have been cited accordingly, if observed.

She is just asking for suggestions on what else she could have done.

[SCSO612]

I am not looking for anyone's pitty or to win someone's favor. If you didn't have an answer for me, just go by this question.

I'm simply curious how your mother being handicapped or the other driver being black are pertinent to the story in order for us to provide a rational answer.

[2411Show]

I'm simply curious how your mother being handicapped or the other driver being black are pertinent to the story in order for us to provide a rational answer.

If I mentioned no one, I would be asked, who was the other driver, who else was in the vehicles, etc. It is better to give all the facts than only some. Since this never happen to me before I wanted to know from officers that see this everyday on what I could of done to get him off my tail than touching my brakes. Unfortunately my mother is handicapped/elderly and easily worried as all seniors are.

[Nobody]

http://forums.officer.com/forums/

[2411Show]

....and she could have been cited for impeding the flow (in addition to the other driver's following too closely violation) if driving under the limit for no good reason

Don't "speed", but don't go under the speed limit either if road/weather/traffic conditions don't mandate it. Same goes for the left lane (#1 lane) on multi-lane roads. IMO, driving too slowly (under the speed limit, or cruising in the #1 lane) is a major cause of road rage - I used to write vehicles for impeding the flow as often as possible..... 'you' aren't being safe by driving 42mph in a 45 mph zone, 'you' are causing a traffic hazard and will probably be the recipient of much rage from the other motorists

The street/road I was on only had one lane either way, I was doing the speed limit and if someone wants to go faster pass me but don't ride someone's bumper and then get mad when the driver touches their brakes..... If I had to slam on my brakes he would of plowed into me and we would all be hurt.

[coach1299]

While out shopping this morning, I and my mother (handicapped) was driving to our next destination I was doing the speed limit of 45. I noticed in my rearview that a vehicle was on my bumper. A blk man came up behind me in a car and was so close all I could see was him/his windshield. He could of passed me or turned down another street if he thought I was too slow but continued to get closer.

I touched my brakes to alert him he was too close, he put his hands in the air and I thought he was in the other lane but he got behind me again. I went to turn left at the light. He turned behind me and went on the ride side and showed me a paper with my license plate number on it thru the window and speeded off. He could see two women in my vehicle. He pulled into a gas station at the next intersection and we never saw him again.

What else could I have done to stop this?

What does being Black have to do with it? Maybe you're just being descriptive without any malicious intentions but your specificity about someone's race is irrelevant. Best thing to do is safely (without tapping the breaks if you don't have to, and it doesn't sound like you had to), move over to the right and let him pass and then go about your business and forget about it. It sounds to me like he was angered at your speed and was trying to make a point that he didn't appreciate it. Tapping your brakes certainly did not help the situation. As far as him writing your plate down, forget about it because in all likelihood he'll probably do the same. Sounds like just another aggressive driver venting his frustrations out on the road, but don't become part of it, just let it go and don't even look at them.

[SCSO612]

If I mentioned no one, I would be asked, who was the other driver, who else was in the vehicles, etc. It is better to give all the facts than only some. Since this never happen to me before I wanted to know from officers that see this everyday on what I could of done to get him off my tail than touching my brakes. Unfortunately my mother is handicapped/elderly and easily worried as all seniors are.

You didn't mention your race, or your mother's race. Why mention the "bad guy's" race?