The official "Ask a cop/deputy anything!" thread

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by ///d

I'll admit, I will move up and "tailgate" someone if they are camping in the fast lane and not moving out of the way. I give them ample time to realize I'm there before I start to creep up and make them uncomfortable, but I never get super close like I have seen some folks do. Some people get feet from a bumper and thats crazy.

But I.cant.stand.fast.lane.campers. Get your damn Prius out of my way.

Just know it puts you in a bad position because the person who collides from the rear is always at fault.

[________]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Just know it puts you in a bad position because the person who collides from the rear is always at fault.

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/...tal_crash.html

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Onesie

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/...tal_crash.html

Well that's Canada, and that's a pretty odd circumstance. For the most part, if you are following so closely that you give yourself no room to stop safely without colliding into the vehicle ahead, you are at fault……even if the person ahead of you stops abruptly.

[________]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Well that's Canada, and that's a pretty odd circumstance. For the most part, if you are following so closely that you give yourself no room to stop safely without colliding into the vehicle ahead, you are at fault……even if the person ahead of you stops abruptly.

I agree with you. I am not too familiar with all the details of the case above, I just know that it is case law for some circumstances around negligence.

At first I’d blame the motorcyclist. But there were reasons they blamed the driver. Just pointing out it’s not slam dunk black and white.

Edit: and Quebec isn’t common law as the rest of Canada/US.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Onesie

I agree with you. I am not too familiar with all the details of the case above, I just know that it is case law for some circumstances around negligence.

At first I'd blame the motorcyclist. But there were reasons they blamed the driver. Just pointing out it's not slam dunk black and white.

Do recall that I was responding to his scenario where he purposely closes the distance to initiate some sort of response from the driver ahead (…21703 CVC, among others) .

[///d]

Originally Posted by Captain Blood

"Educate yourself": Maga code for I don't understand but I'm going to be condescending

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Well that's Canada, and that's a pretty odd circumstance. For the most part, if you are following so closely that you give yourself no room to stop safely without colliding into the vehicle ahead, you are at fault……even if the person ahead of you stops abruptly.

I was always taught the 3 second rule for following distance. If I creep up on someone I'm still usually a couple car lengths back, but inside that 3 second rule. I guess I've always considered tailgating being inside that 3 second rule. Around my neck of the woods that usually gets people to move over, but I also live in what most people consider the sticks.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by ///d

I was always taught the 3 second rule for following distance. If I creep up on someone I'm still usually a couple car lengths back, but inside that 3 second rule. I guess I've always considered tailgating being inside that 3 second rule. Around my neck of the woods that usually gets people to move over, but I also live in what most people consider the sticks.

The 3-second rule is a good one to follow and implementing it will keep you out of the danger zone majority of the time.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

i just keep my distance from everyone. ours cars are fast enough to weave once gaps are there.

i can't tailgate, it solves nothing. id rather just get somewhere slowly then increase my blood pressure

[jamesinaz]

I love my automatic cruise control with preset for distance to the car in front. I'm OK if the guy behind doesn't get it. And I'm OK if people somehow get around me and pull in then being one car further than they were. If I'm in the fast lane going as fast as the cars in front I have no intention of being the last car in a 17 car wreck. I'm gonna be the guy whose car is only hit from behind.

And besides. I'm retired. Unless I have a tee time there is nothing I'm doing that can't wait an extra few minutes.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

i just keep my distance from everyone. ours cars are fast enough to weave once gaps are there.

i can't tailgate, it solves nothing. id rather just get somewhere slowly then increase my blood pressure

It's great for peppering that front bumper though.

[///d]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

I love my automatic cruise control with preset for distance to the car in front. I'm OK if the guy behind doesn't get it. And I'm OK if people somehow get around me and pull in then being one car further than they were. If I'm in the fast lane going as fast as the cars in front I have no intention of being the last car in a 17 car wreck. I'm gonna be the guy whose car is only hit from behind.

And besides. I'm retired. Unless I have a tee time there is nothing I'm doing that can't wait an extra few minutes.

For me, I really dislike being behind vehicles and not being able to see the road ahead. I don't trust other motorists to avoid debris, animals, etc. And when two vehicles going the same speed are taking up both lanes of the freeway, well... Like I said, I give ample time to realize I'm behind looking to pass, and if you still dont move after a quick flash of the lights, well, you're a dick.

I know its an issue everywhere, but in MN left lane camping is particularly bad. It's bad enough that a few years ago the news had to put out a special on left lane driving and how it's illegal to drive in the left lane unless passing or preparing for a turn. It caused an uproar of people saying they can drive in whatever lane they want at whatever speed they want, and some even stated they do it intentionally to slow people down. I'm not sure why it's such an issue here.

But I've also driven the highways of Kuwait, Egypt, etc and they give zero fucks. If you dont move after that first flash of the high beams they will move you out of the way.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I agree that it will be armchair quarterbacked for years to come. I also agree that many of them are being treated as scapegoats, including the Chief himself. It is the reality that somebody has to shoulder the blame, even if they aren't the person(s)/people who deserve it.

I try to be as honest as possible with my responses here and paint accurate depictions of the realities of the profession because that's the entire purpose of this thread. I don't think for one minute any of those officers are/were cowards. You cannot don this uniform everyday and have a cowardice mindset (…which isn't to say we never get scared; I've been scared a bunch of times). The cowards quit! I've seen it time & time again. The dynamics are just hard to put into words. You would have to be in the situation [or a similar situation] to truly get a feel for the atmosphere everybody on scene experienced.

Sedan_Clan, I just want to thank you again for letting us in to see the world through the eyes of a LEO.

I appreciate the time you take to explain situations in clear, unambiguous terms. This is an awesome thread.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Sedan_Clan, I just want to thank you again for letting us in to see the world through the eyes of a LEO.

I appreciate the time you take to explain situations in clear, unambiguous terms. This is an awesome thread.

I appreciate that. This is one venue where I really enjoy talking about this profession with the help of the other LEO's on the forum. It's therapeutic for me and informative for those who regularly read this thread.

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by ///d

For me, I really dislike being behind vehicles and not being able to see the road ahead. I don't trust other motorists to avoid debris, animals, etc. And when two vehicles going the same speed are taking up both lanes of the freeway, well... Like I said, I give ample time to realize I'm behind looking to pass, and if you still dont move after a quick flash of the lights, well, you're a dick.

I know its an issue everywhere, but in MN left lane camping is particularly bad. It's bad enough that a few years ago the news had to put out a special on left lane driving and how it's illegal to drive in the left lane unless passing or preparing for a turn. It caused an uproar of people saying they can drive in whatever lane they want at whatever speed they want, and some even stated they do it intentionally to slow people down. I'm not sure why it's such an issue here.

But I've also driven the highways of Kuwait, Egypt, etc and they give zero fucks. If you dont move after that first flash of the high beams they will move you out of the way.

I think we all hate being blind and behind a taller blacked out vehicle. But I also hate the guy who feels he is entitled to go faster than the flow of traffic. If the fast lane is full up for miles ahead moving at 70 and he wants to go 75 I do not care. They are as bad as the guys who get in the left and don't keep up.

Only other country I have driven in is Thailand. Over there anger is a rare emotion on the road. There are so many incompetent drivers it would wear you out to get mad.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by jamesinaz

..
Only other country I have driven in is Thailand. Over there anger is a rare emotion on the road. There are so many incompetent drivers it would wear you out to get mad.

You oughta see how they drove in Manilla when I was there with the Navy. The lane lines are barely suggestions and the signals are almost just for appearances.

[Sedan_Clan]

Sooooo, I may get the Motor spot at my station. Fingers crossed, but it's looking good. I'm trying not to get too excited, but damn….this is what I've been waiting for.

[rwheels]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Sooooo, I may get the Motor spot at my station. Fingers crossed, but it's looking good. I'm trying not to get too excited, but damn….this is what I've been waiting for.

What’s a motor spot?
Asking for a friend.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Sooooo, I may get the Motor spot at my station. Fingers crossed, but it's looking good. I'm trying not to get too excited, but damn….this is what I've been waiting for.

Watch out for the crazies that don't look for you!

[Sedan_Clan]

Two wheels o'fun!!!!

[rwheels]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Two wheels o'fun!!!!

No more wear and tear on your own car.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by ezaircon4jc

Watch out for the crazies that don't look for you!

Oh I definitely plan to. I'll be aggressively hunting. God I hope this works out.

[Murf the Surf]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Well that's Canada, and that's a pretty odd circumstance. For the most part, if you are following so closely that you give yourself no room to stop safely without colliding into the vehicle ahead, you are at fault……even if the person ahead of you stops abruptly.

So she stopped her car on a highway with a 100kmh speed limit, and she was charged with Criminal Negligence. This wan't an incident of a typical rear end collision, this was a car parked in a live lane.