Serious question: ask a cop when dressed?

[tamarav]

First statement: this is a very slimly related CD situation, I was dressed and avoided making contact because of it. Serious question since I am somewhat stymied. Last night I was driving home from dancing, it was about 11:30 and I was on a winding road leading to home. I was following a large dually pickup with huge backup lights mounted low on his trailer hitch.

At some point I must have irritated the driver because he turned on his backup lights and totally blinded me. Fortunately at the time I was looking slighly off to the side of the truck and not directly at the lights but I could not see at all. I had to hit the brakes since I could not see the road. Fortunately there was no one behind me.

The pickup driver turned his lights off after maybe 4 seconds and continued at speed. I picked up speed and followed him for the next 12 miles to the area of my home. He must have felt that I was following him as he varied his speed up and down within the speed limit.

As we were driving, I noticed a State Trooper on the side of the road but as we passed there was no outward indication that there was a problem. Here is my dilema, should I have stopped and told the police officer what happened? I was dressed for dancing, somewhat tired and the worse for wear but did not stop simply because I didn't really think the cop would do anything or possibly take me as credible.

I followed the truck all the way to his house keeping a safe distance. He only lives about a mile from my home unfortunately. He never did see my face and could not have gotten my license plate number. I did get his street address and his license plate number and a description of his truck. My thought is to write him a note and tell him what a dangerous stunt he pulled.

Any input from some of our more law enforcement folks than I?

Sorry if this is thw wrong place to post this, I simply trust the opinions of the members here for all things CD related.

Your sis,

Tami

[Bootsiegalore]

you were most likely following too close for his comfort. The best thing to do is avoid the driver. Pull off or stop and then continue on.... Following or agitating someone further could have yucky consequences. Road rage is on the rise and you don't want to piss someone off to the point they do something violent. Be safe!

Tara

[DonnaT]

I suggest, if you have a cell phone, calling the police when someone does something as dagerous as that, tell them where you are, what happened and the vehicles plate number, etc.

Since the officer you saw was nearby, he/she would have been dispatched to your location. Pulling off the road to talk to the police isn't advised, as the location might not be safe.

[Emily Ann Brown]

He probably knew how dangerous what he did was, and did it anyhow. I wouldn't drop any notes because I wouldn't want him knowing my info or looking for my vehicle later.

As for stopping to tell a police officer.....my one time trying to report some such incident got little attention, and I was in male mode. Not running down the police, just think they don't want to end up in a "he says /she says" any more than they already do.


Emily Ann

[tgirlinva]

From my point of view, there is no law that says you ought to go a certain speed. Some speeds appear to be more acceptable than others. If the man was going at or below the speed limit, he is legally not at fault. What what I think happened, as someone said, you were following too closely for his comfort and he got irritated. If he brakes and you rear-end him, you would be at fault and given a ticket b/c no matter what, you should have enough distance between yourself and the car in front of you in order to stop in any situation. You should feel lucky that you didn't hit him b/c you would not only be given a ticket, he could easily pretend that he has back injuries, etc. etc. etc. more trouble than you need basically. So what I would say is let it go. Be the better person and let it go. Calling the police would've not done anything.

[Emily Anderson]

Best to avoid idiots that are driving unsafely, and I'm sure the police are totally tired of hearing about this kind of story. Besides, I would prefer they are out chasing real criminals, and not people with lousy driving skills.

You should have stopped for a coffee and driven home later, taken an alternate route, or waited ten minutes by the side of the road until he had enough distance for you to drive home safely.

[Kay Sterling]

It's best to be careful when someone acts with road rage. Recently I was driving on the interstate and a truck passed me on the shoulder of the road and then hit the front of my new car sending me into the medium. He continued on without stopping. Since I didn't have time to get the license number the police didn't make any effort to locate the truck. I ended up with about $7000 damage and a broken vertabrae I almost always wear panties but for some reason I didn't that night which saved an awkward situation in the emergency room.

[Katie T]

FIDO......Forget It Drive On:hugs:

[karynspanties]

If he turned on his rear lights, you were probably tailgating him. Why not just simply back off and put a nice distance between the two of you? I know I do not like having someone right one my a#$ and it pisses me off when it happens. I would just forget about it and move on.

[Charona]

Of course, the driver of the truck violated the law when he turned on white lights to the rear of the truck while moving forward.

[celeste26]

I agree that it was you following too close. There are certainly other ways of letting you know how close you were, like slowing down further and forcing you to pass or just ignoring you.

But put yourself in his seat and ask yourself what you would do.

[kay_jessica]

Yep. Tail gaiters get every where. It pisses me off and if you WERE tailgating I sympathise with the trucky. It wasn't him who was driving dangerously it would have been you.

I know when it happens to me I try very hard to let the idiot behind me know he's pushing to hard. But I guess if they are stupid enough to tail gate in the first place then the chances are they ain't got the sense to understand the more subtle attempts to get them to back off. Perhaps he had asked you a dozen time already and you just missed his more reasonable requests to back off.

Happy driving

Kay

[jaina]

Stop tailgating people.

[Roberta Llyan]

The last time I stopped a cop, AND yes, I stopped him for help, it cost me over $250. When I told him I was from "out of town and trying to find a street," he automatically thought: "Out of town, won't fight ticket." So he gave me a ticket for "speeding."

I will NEVER ask a "cop," and I use that word lightly, for anything. (I used to be a cop too.)

So that is my advise.

PS--No, I was not in my femme clothes.

[Emily Anderson]

Let's not beat up on cops! They have a tough life as it is, and no I don't particularly like them either... But they are necessary.

I'll tell a reverse story. I was once speeding at more than 90 MPH in a 55 MPH zone. I flashed my lights at the guy in front to pass him. It turned out he was a cop, and he put on his blue light to pull me over.

When he stopped me, he told me I was stupid to be going so fast, and I just agreed with him. End of story... he didn't even ask me for a driver's license or anything, just told me to slow down and move on. And no, I wasn't cross-dressed...

That was in the USA, and I have a similar story here in Belgium too, for another day.

[jaina]

The last time I stopped a cop, AND yes, I stopped him for help, it cost me over $250.

You were lucky.
A man here reported Identity theft to the police and they tried to railroad him with a child porn charge after the stolen card was used.

US police have been terrors for a while now.

[MJ]

FIDO......Forget It Drive On:hugs:

i agree just forget it . the driver may have been scared buy you driving a little too close for comfort .
as a former police officer interacting with a " man " impersonating a hot looking woman maybe fun but all that paper work reports and dealing with the other driver and you may not be too happy with strangers knowing your unusual hobby best leave it alone . i am happy you got home safely

[trannie T]

For minor offenses such as this example of minor road rage, just pull over, calm down and both of you go your own way. If it had been a serious incident such as dangerous or impaired driving I would not hesitate in telling an officer.

[TSchapes]

My wife and I use that phrase whenever someone cuts us off, tailgates or makes any other dangerous move. If someone is tailgating me, I will try and pull over to let them go by, even if it means I have to literally pull off the road.

When I was young, I got into a pull-over fight out in the middle of the desert in Nevada. We squared off, then said a few words, and fortunately cooler heads prevailed. We cooled off and said let's not fight, and went our separate ways. God I was so immature, I could've been left for dead for the buzzards to eat! Very scary.

Yes, "Let the Wookie Win!" - CP30

Love, Tracy

[Alice B]

I think you took a serious risk following him home. What if he had decided to stop and confront you. It's not that uncommon these days.

[RockerTerri]

Tailgating=bad.

Guy flipping on bright backup lights in huge truck=danger sign about what kind of person he is.

Those things add up to stop following so close, and maybe stop for a cup of coffee or what have you. Definately, DEFINATELY, do not follow people for any longer than you absolutely have to after they pull that sort of thing. Even if you werent tailgating, my dad had a saying when i was learning how to drive; Would you rather be wrong or dead right?

Drive safe

Terri

[CD Susan]

If I had been in that situation I would not have followed him that long of a distance especially so close to your home. That situation could have turned very ugly! My advice is if that ever happens again try to put as much distance as possible between yourself and a driver like that.

[TxKimberly]

I'd have to agree with the others that have said he probably felt you were tail gaiting. Talking to the police would have done you no good - your word against his. I once saw some scum throw three huge bags of McDonalds fast food garbage out the window of his car. This pissed me off so bad I followed him long enough to get his plates and call the cops. They laughed and told me there was nothing they could do. It would be my word against theirs.
When we were moving from Ft Lewis Wa. (Tacoma) to Germany, we drove through half the US to visit our families before leaving. Your NOT going to beleive this, but making the drive from the top of Washington state to Southern California, I had EXACTLY the same thing happen to me somewhere between Ft Lewis and Oregon - can't recall exactly where any more. The truck fit the description you just gave to the letter.
I wonder if it was the same guy??!!

[Sherry-Stephanie]

"Ask a cop when dressed"??? Ah probably not....

Would he have done anything? probably not because A) you might have been (or at least partly assumed to be part of the problem )because more than likely you were following to close or perhaps you had you high beams on and didn't realize it...

Cops tend to be real conservative and crossdressing isn't one of their more accepted points of view....but then again it depends where you all live as far as the view they have....

Personally once the lights came on I probably would have lost the guy and turned off somewhere and killed a few minutes to let him put some distance between you and him ...

Just my thoughts here....

[jamie55]

Hi Tami: I won't make a judgement as to fault but I will tell you this. I own big oilfield trucks and sometimes at nite people tailgate or forget to turn off their brites. My solution, flip my work lights on and off to get their attention. They usually back off or pass. You should just let it slide.

[Melinda G]

I once saw some scum throw three huge bags of McDonalds fast food garbage out the window of his car. This pissed me off so bad I followed him long enough to get his plates and call the cops. They laughed and told me there was nothing they could do. It would be my word against theirs.

Doesn't say much for those "Report Littering" signs we see along the freeway, does it.:D

[tamarav]

First of all I want to thank those of you that wrote and gave me advice. I actually listened and did not follow through on putting a note on the guy's truck. I cooled down and pulled me head out of my backside and went down the street to visit a neighbor, who incidently I have known for 10 years, who is a car nut, and is a Deouty Sheriff.

He did his professional listening stance, told me to give him the specifics and he would talk with the guy. I did, he did. Since he works nights he (the Deputy Sheriff) dropped by my house last night to let me know what occcured.

He told me that the guy flipped on his backup lights because my driving lights were aimed too high, not that I was tailgating. I never assumed that i was tailgating since I don't like it when other people do it. The Deputy said he did get a laugh out of the whole thing though because when the guy told him that my driving lights wer aimed too high, the Deputy knew they weren't since he helped me aim them... I have also sold the Deputy 3 of my cars, he is a Fiero addict also.


In the end I think all of you are right, even though I may look like a woman when out, I still sometimes act like a stupid man... Damn hormones!

Your sis,

Tami

[TxKimberly]

. . . even though I may look like a woman when out, I still sometimes act like a stupid man... Damn hormones!


NOT! It is not what you think about or consider doing that defines you - it is your actions.

[Jennifer Giovannetta]

I would say avoid a confrontation first of all when dressed. And if the other driver did something as stupid as what you described, who knows what else they are capable of. But it might be nessasary to contact the police when dressed if the situation is an immediate threat to someones life or a possibility of bodily harm.

[Amy Hepker]

I would keep the information just in case something comes up in the future. As for that night, the best thing to do is just get away from the idiot. Go around a block or something to put space between you and him. If he were to follow you then you have a real problem. I really dought if you were to close, he was just being stupid to see what you would do. Think of your safety first. Like someone else said, you shopuld have used a cell phone and reported it and then he probably would have been pulled over. He may have thought twice about doing something so stupid again. I would not stick around to see what happened though.

[LilSissyStevie]

The first 40 miles of our commute everyday is down winding two lane mountain highways. There are very few places to pass safely. Some days suicidal maniacs tailgate me and try to pass on blind curves and other days great-grandpa is in front of me and drives 30 mph and slams on his brakes at every slight bend in the road. Usually it's both.

When I was younger, I was the suicidal maniac. When I get older, I'll probably drive like grampa. So I can't be too self righteous about it. I've just learned to take it all in stride. When I get in the car, I zen out. I strive for emotion free driving because it's impossibe to make everyone else drive the way I'd like them to. I make good use of the turnouts and passing lanes, when they are available, and I pay no attention to that idiot in the rear view mirror. The first rule of mountain driving: Stay alive.

A recent bumper sticker I saw: If you're going to ride my a$$, at least pull my hair.

[kay_jessica]

.................

He told me that the guy flipped on his backup lights because my driving lights were aimed too high, not that I was tailgating.


So perhaps you had a blond moment and forgot to dip your high beam to low. Therefore in a way he maybe right. Your driving lights so far as he was concerned were to high. He just did not wanted to be blinded every time his eyes caught you in his rear view mirror. OK perhaps you don't look in your mirrors so don't get dazzled. But good drivers do as good drivers are aware of whats around them.

Whilst we are on that subject don't you just hate those morons who drive around with their fog lights on, especially the high intensity rear onces. If it ain't foggy switch them off. They are far more dangerous to those following, especially if it is wet.

Happy driving

Kay

[Daphne]

I can understand everyons frustraion. Heck drivers are suppost to dim their high beams to on comeing vehicals on the highway. But how many of them actually do??? Not very damn many.

[Alex!]

Yup, you were probably tailgating. I do that way too often myself and I need to watch that.

As to the situation, I'd let it go and count yourself lucky.

When en femme and driving I definitely avoid anything likely to cause trouble - including not tailgating :)

[JoanAz]

Kimberly while out on my Goldwing (in Drab) some slob threw Mc Donalds bag out on road, I picked it up and at the next stop light pulled up next to him His window was open and I handed it back to him.
Saying 'I think this is yours, you droped it"
then backed my bike behind him,
He realy had a shocked look on his face.
I made a turn at the Light to be out of hil way.
:)

[Joy Carter]

It's allot easier for you to just back off the throttle, and avoid the situation. Never know who or what your facing now days, with another driver in traffic.
BTW I'm a retired officer. And I'm have quite a chuckle at some of these stories. :D

[Bootsiegalore]

I almost always wear panties but for some reason I didn't that night which saved an awkward situation in the emergency room.

As long as they were clean youre safe!

[CharleneT]

Interesting story... my two cents: stay away from drivers who do that. I would not contact him or the police. Especially him. Just drive careful and forget it. If he takes offense at your reporting him and he lives close by it could be dangerous. Its harder to let idiots go, but much better.

[kay_jessica]

Interesting story... my two cents: stay away from drivers who do that. I would not contact him or the police. Especially him. Just drive careful and forget it. If he takes offense at your reporting him and he lives close by it could be dangerous. Its harder to let idiots go, but much better.

I don't believe this. It seems that because this trucker was trying to tell Tamarav to back off and dim her lights that he is in the wrong. God knows how many subtle hints he made before he finally put on his rig lights. Tamarav was driving too close to him and he asked her to back off. She was driving dangerously. She was dazzling him. He was only trying to get her to back off. But no, because people don't like how he finally had to let her know she was being a prat, he's the villain. Perhaps Tamarav does not use her mirrors thus she does not know what it is like to be dazzled from trailing cars.

Prey tell how else can some one tell you to back off - Oh yes perhaps he could stomp on the brakes, Hmm. what happens? You go up his tail because you can't react quick enough. So what do you do? You put the boy racer bit of you away in its toy box and you give the driver in front at least 3 or 4 full car lengths and keep your driving lights dimmed. Quite easy really.

[Vivian Best]

This has absolutely nothing to do with the original string but is in the same area. I pull a 37ft fifth wheel RV and you can't imagine some of the things people do behind you and do to get in front of you. My life, my wife's life and the other person's life have been put in jeapordy because they don't want to be slowed by an RV. Let me tell you folks, you can't stop one of those rigs like you can a car and many idiots assume you can. Thank you, I'll get off my preaching platform now. I wouldn'd dare drive the rig dressed because of the danger imposed by some thoughtless drivers. Again, this in no way supposes guilt of any type on Tami in the incedent she described in her post.

[tammysuetv]

People can be jerks. I agree with others that he felt you were too close. Blinding another driver at night however is not a good thing to do. You can report him to the police but it will be your word against his. If the lights are not street legal however the other driver could get a ticket for an equipment violation but the officer will have to see a violation.

I would just chalk this up to totally bad manners on his part and not worry about it unless it happens again.

[Seville]

I did, in a state park in NY State. I am more than able
to take care of myself, but this guy really scared me.
Way over the top, harassing campers late at night. :eek:

After that, I want no unnecessary contact with the police,
dressed or not.

My take on your situation?

LET IT GO!!! AND QUIT TAILGATING!!!

(And, oh, yes, I complained about him the next
morning at the visitor center, and they know
all about him. They had a l o o n g list
of complaints about his behavior.)

[kay_jessica]

People can be jerks. I agree with others that he felt you were too close. Blinding another driver at night however is not a good thing to do. You can report him to the police but it will be your word against his. If the lights are not street legal however the other driver could get a ticket for an equipment violation but the officer will have to see a violation.

I would just chalk this up to totally bad manners on his part and not worry about it unless it happens again.

OK I ask again. How does that trucky who is being blinded by your high beams, tell you to back off after you failed to read his more subtle requests? It was the car driver in the wrong. Or are you all to dumb to see that. He did it as a last resort to STOP TAMARAV BLINDING HIM. As for showing the bad manners, it was Tamarav that expressed them by blinding him and being the jerk.

There are so many dumb idiots on the roads, I feel sorry for the professional driver having to put up with them.

[karinels]

i wasnt there, and wont say you were doing any thing wrong, but. i remember the 2 second rule. if you can set a landmark and count one thousand and one, one thousand and two, before you cross that landmark, then id say you were too close, but like i said, i wasnt there. it seems you were the only one there, and are the only one who can determine fault.

[Kendra Irene]

i wasnt there, and wont say you were doing any thing wrong, but. i remember the 2 second rule. if you can set a landmark and count one thousand and one, one thousand and two, before you cross that landmark, then id say you were too close, but like i said, i wasnt there. it seems you were the only one there, and are the only one who can determine fault.

AND, at night increase the distance to 3 seconds.

Kendra

[Roberta Llyan]

You were lucky.
A man here reported Identity theft to the police and they tried to railroad him with a child porn charge after the stolen card was used.

US police have been terrors for a while now.

Yes, you are correct also. I've lately been quoted several times saying: "The only terrorist in America work for the US government...."

And that is true too. No matter what others may think or say.

[Joy Carter]

You were lucky.
A man here reported Identity theft to the police and they tried to railroad him with a child porn charge after the stolen card was used.

Any details on this incident ?


US police have been terrors for a while now.[/quote]


Some or all jaina ? I've known some bad apples in my time. But on the whole most are professional.

[DanaR]

I remember talking to my young daughter years ago about honking her horn at an irresponsible driver; I told her she could be "dead" right. Sometimes it is just easier and better to avoid any confrontation.

[JoAnnDallas]

Last Friday I got hit in the rear. I was just about to turn right when two police cars came screaming thru the intersection. I slamed on the brakes but the F150 behind me did not even stop. One of the two cops stopped when he saw the accident. The driver of the F150 was out raged that I stopped liked that and he was going to sue me. The cop told him that I was obeying the law by allowing a emergency vechile the right of way, so the accident was not my fault. They did have their sirens and lights on. The F150 guy was still upset but what could he do, even the police was on my side. Anyway the insurance company totaled it yesterday. said the 11 year old SUV was going to cost more to repair than it was worth. So wife said I can have the 6 month old Totyota Pruis Hybred and she gets a new car. LOL

[jaina]

Any details on this incident ?


http://www.khq.com/global/story.asp?s=8259353&ClientType=Printable
http://www.komotv.com/news/18471029.html?m=y
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkysSV1wzZ8&feature=related






Some or all jaina ? I've known some bad apples in my time. But on the whole most are professional.

I'm sure the are some good ones out there somewhere, but this is getting off topic.

[Cassy11]

Unless you were put in real danger don't pull over and talk with the police. If you were driving too close only you know for sure. But why follow him home? That could lead to more trouble than you want. Let it go and move on. When was the last time two wrongs made a right?

[Joy Carter]

http (http://www.khq.com/global/story.asp?s=8259353&ClientType=Printable)

I'm sure the are some good ones out there somewhere, but this is getting off topic.

You brought up now. I'm telling you that bad cops are not the norm. Most who have problems with the police, have been through the criminal justice system, and have an axe to grind. As in anything there are exceptions. Yes ? No ?

[TeresaCD]

I agree with a few others on this thread that unless you were put in serious danger, don't talk with a cop.

Here in the mid-Atlantic region, north and south of Washington, DC there are so many mental midget jack-booted "officers" zooming around on motor cycles, who are really just "revenuers" for the government.

Advice: obey the law, don't tailgate, be nice to cops if stopped, but don't voluntarily present yourself to a cop in drag or otherwise.

p.s. I have no police record, never been in the justice system, and get low insurance rates for being a good driver.