Why do cops always tailgate people?

Question

I was doing the speed limit and this cop was on my as$ and I felt like slamming my brakes on.

Answer 1

Next time just slam on your brakes. He'll back off then. LOL!

Answer 2

intimidation...you'll get nervous and make a mistake..then. Yahoo...they  get to write another ticket. Instead of out catching real criminals. But, it makes money for the city, county, state and that's what makes the world go round.

Answer 3

In all honesty, I sometimes have to when I forget my glasses or I'm just having a "bad eye day", so that I can the license plate.

Answer 4

I don't know.  Maybe it is an attempt at intimidation.  They could be trying to get you to make a mistake.  

I find it hard to believe that it is because they are trying to get your plate number.  Anyone with 20/20 vision would not need to tailgate you in an attempt at getting a plate number.  Plates are designed to be easily visible from a set distance.  This is why they are a regulation size, with regulation sized numerals and letters, and why they use contrasting colors on the plates.  Also, there are regulations which state that your plate must be lighted, clean and in some states you must have a plate on the front and rear of the car.  All this is done to make plates more easily viewable to police officers.

Besides, tailgating, even by police officers, is a dangerous practice.  The officer has sirens and lights for a reason.  If they need to get around you so badly, they should have them on.  Isn't that the point after all?

I have had this happen to me on more than one occasion, while my young child was in the the back in a car seat and it was very irritating.  I don't want anyone, regardless of whither it is a cop or not, slamming into the back of me, if I have to stop suddenly.  So when it happens, I slow down to five miles and hour under the speed limit and continue to drive at that speed until the person behind me gets the point and either backs off or goes around.

Answer 5

Maybe YOUR HOME is getting broken into and we are rushing to get there. GET OUT OF THE WAY!  Most of the time, the reason for being that close is because we are needing to get to a high priority call that does not require lights and siren and you are in the WAY.

Answer 6

He may tail gate you briefly to get the plate number and run it through the  computer regarding registration status, status of the owner, warrants, outstanding parking fees, etc,  

Answer 7

They do it so you s***w up and they write you a ticket. Most people get nervous if the police are riding them, wind up making a mistake, and they can grab you for it. More so, they can be running your plates to see if you got a warrent. Last, you SHOULD slam on your brakes, getting hit from behind is ALWAYS the car in the backs fault, and that means a nice city settlement check for you ;)

PS: If you follow my last advice, make sure you got your seat belt on. No need to give your family an inheritance on what should have been found money for you.

Answer 8

Um... move over they're trying to get some place and you're in the way.  

Answer 9

We do it for one of 2 reasons... A) We're trying to get you're license plate to run it, or B) You're in our way. So don't be incompetent... and if you feel they are too close (on a 1 lane each way street), simply put on your blinker, pull over, let them pass, and re-enter traffic.  

Answer 10

They try to make people nervous so you'll get in a wreck and then they can give you a ticket.

Answer 11

I only tailgate when i want to pull someone over that very moment. It must be in your head that is uncommon practice in my police dept.

Answer 12

Intimidation. It's like a warning...stop doing whatever youre doing or I'll flash my lights