What's the game.......?

Question

I was riding with my son, who was driving and within the legal speed limit, down a state route over the weekend; a law enforcement officer pulled in behind him and tailgated him so close that, had something happened where he had to apply his brakes, there surly would have been an "accident". Eventually, they pulled around him after about ten minutes of riding so close we could not see their headlights. This is not the first time I have seen or experienced this scenario. What gives? Is this an attempt to unnerve people to get them speed up or commit some infraction?

We know if we reported this, there would be the usual poo-poo'ing, as if we were lying about the incident, or some other excuse would be given to justify the action. It just seems that this is a dangerous practice for people who attempt to give the impression they are "safety minded".

Answer 1

An old trick to make you panic and make an illegal move, then get a ticket for it. They know the odds of you going to traffic court are pretty slim to state that, so they usually get away with it. They had an incident in Ky where a cop was following the car in front of him so close that when the other car had to brake suddenly, the cop swerved and killed someone on a bike.

Answer 2

He most likely wanted you to move over just as a usual driver would have.

He could have been getting a better look at the plate.

He might have been looking for you to speed up if undercover, and retaliate by tailgating him.  

Either way, get over it!  They have less accidents than others and drive 10-14 hours a day.

Answer 3

Yes this is bad practice.  Some ideas of the cause for "tailgaiting" :  The officer was attempting to run  your tag... could not read your plate- might have been dirty or he was blind, Next, getting close to see if you were wearing your seatbelt.  Third, see what you were doing inside the car.  Just probabilities, I guess.  I would call the chief and get some questions answered.  You were not cited so you have nothing to deny.