Is it against the law to follow someone home? Just to politely tell them how not to drive?

Question

It may seem weird and a waste of time but I like my car soo much. I would like to keep it forever!

I drive defensively all the time, but is getting rediculous how many people dont stop or look before proceeding! (in a hurry to go nowhere once your dead) it takes no time to stop.

I have had to slam my brakes on 2 time today because people dont stop at stop signs. I think following someone home to tell them how it is will make them think next time. (it could be scary for the person in the wrong)

Answer 1

As much as you want to do that, DON'T! You can be charged with Road Rage assault or stalking, if the person calls the police. You may also get killed. Let the incompetent drivers, go on and ignore them. As long as nothing happens, what's the big deal? Take 3 breaths and move on with your life and keep on driving safe.

Answer 2

It isn't illegal, nor is it road rage (that is driving in an aggresive manner)  or stalking (which would be doing it repeatedly,  not just once).   But it may not be wise.   Perhaps the bad driver is off their meds and armed,    Perhaps the bad driver just has an attitude and wants to punch someone.    Perhaps your following them around scares them,  and you end up talking to the police to explain yourself.      

Right now,  take notes of the incident,   license tag if possible,  and  short description of the driver if possible,  and give it to your local police.    Perhaps they could get an officer to sit at the worst locations to do paperwork and catch a few of these folks.

If you want to vent about them publically,   try here >>> http://roadragers.com/report-bad-drivers...     or   http://platewire.com/location/.

Answer 3

Let's just say, for instance, you followed me home.  I am a good driver, but just say, for the sake of argument you felt the need to tell me off.  So you walk up to me in my driveway, and spout off.  Let's say I object to what you say, and pop you one upside the head.  You call the police because I hit you, only to find I have beaten you to it, called in a report of a trespasser threatening me, so, in addition to being popped upside the head, you are hauled off to jail.  Sounds pretty wonderful, doesn't it?

Following someone is a very obvious sign of road rage.  We all get a little mad now and then, but the ones that act out get killed, beaten up, tossed in jail, run into the ditch, or, in accidents, etc.

If you are truly driving defensively, you should be able to anticipate at least some of these situations, and yield to the light and sign jumpers.  You can't anticipate every one, but a fair percentage are obvious.  The rest, just suck it up and realize some drivers are always idiots, and even good ones make the odd error in judgment or miss something on occasion.  

When I learned to drive, the adage was "drive like everybody else is apt to run into you at any time".

Answer 4

No, but don't...Instead, note the infraction, license plate number, date, time, street name and direction of travel.  Call the police in the town it happened and file a police report...They'll take care of it

Answer 5

Sounds like a good way to get the c**p beat out of you or have the police called on you. I think I would do them in just that order myself.

Answer 6

I don't know, but I wouldn't do it.  I don't see how it could be interpreted as polite, either, no matter what tone of voice you use.  Besides, they probably won't change their behavior.

Answer 7

If you follow me to give me "polite" driving lessons, be prepared for my being a less than grateful student! I am large. I carry a firearm. I consider someone following me to be a potential threat! How would I know that you are not following me to carjack me?

You need to worry about your own driving. You would put yourself in much more danger that someone running a stop light!

Answer 8

Please look at yourself

..."I have had to SLAM my brakes on 2 times today...."

That statement informs me that YOU are not aware of the potential problems when approaching a junction AND you failed to react TWICE in one day!!

When approaching the next junction with a stop sign, ANTICIPATE that another vehicle will not stop by adjusting your speed and position, warn them of your presence, and be able to stop comfortably within the distance you can see to be clear.

Not everyone is as expert as you behind the wheel: they may be a new driver, elderly, driving in an unfamiliar area, etc

It can be difficult, but always ask yourself HOW CAN "*I*" AVOID CONFRONTATION rather than transfer blame to others.

Answer 9

Try following a cop and see if it is ok, I did it once in the 70's and the cop told me to stop following him.  We followed him on several streets for a few miles, bet you can't do that now days.

Answer 10

The person that you follow home could call the police and you could be charge for stalking and if you got out of your vehicle you could be charged for harassment.

Answer 11

Nothing can be accomplished by this childish behavior. Let it go and move on.

Answer 12

It may not be illegal in your state but you might find a bullet lodged between your 3rd and 4th vertabrae if you think you might want to try that in BFE where i live.  YOU AIN'T FROM AROUND HERE ARE YA BOY?