This past Sunday, we were traveling I-95 northbound to go shopping. Traffic was your normal Sunday after church type of traffic, heavy to heavier. With the addition of scatter rain shower, traffic did go from 60-70 mph to a standstill near heavy residential exits such as Quantico, Dale City, etc.
There was a Prius driven by some kid constantly on my tail even though I was already doing 5 over and only 10 car lengths behind a series of SUV, trucks, and tractors. Following any closer would put my family and I in danger if those vehicles decided to slam their brakes. So I decided to take my foot off the gas and coast down to 55-60 to let him pass and he did. Being that I am from the area, I know when to move over to the fast lane and when to get get back to the right lane. About 5 miles from when the Prius almost slammed into the back of my car, traffic came to a halt. So I slowed down and applied by brakes accordingly; tap for a second and off until I needed to stop completely. Not following too close afford me the ability to not wear or ride my brakes and still be able to stop long before needed. After at least 2 seconds later (probably more like 5 seconds) from when all traffic around me as well as my car were at a standstill, I heard and felt a thump from the rear. I looked back and saw the same Prius now just crashed into me.
I called the State trooper we didn't want to get out his car to check for damage. My rear bumper is pretty messed up on the lower end as my Accord sits much higher than the Prius. The cop gave each driver a paper to exchange information and I called the offender's insurance after that. I also took a picture of his DL but not his insurance as the cop didn't want me to do it. It's Tuesday and I still haven't heard from his insurance yet. I am going to call tomorrow and check the status. [censored] police didn't want to write up a report so they have a record of the accident.
I hate people following too close and think people should move over for them. People do that to me all the time on interstate highways, regardless of my speed. I never speed up and just let them pass me at their own risk. My wife thinks I should speed up and be closer to the front driver I told her to mind her business and drive normally and carefully regardless of how traffic is. I always keep a good distance between me and the fellow in front. If possible, I also like to keep a good distance with the guy in the rear, especially if he's a big vehicle. But I am not going to do so by driving faster because tailgaters always speed up and close in regardless of how hard you try to keep safe distance. It should and is the responsibility of rear drivers to keep safe distance from those in front.
I think it is ironic that the same stupid Prius driver rear-ended me after I already gave him ample warning 5 miles back to not follow too close. He's from Connecticut and this happened in VA so I don't know why he was rushing. There is plenty of chance to make up time and I-95 passing through NOVA, D.C., Beltway, and some park of NJ Turnpike aren't the place to do it in bad weather.
There was a Prius driven by some kid constantly on my tail even though I was already doing 5 over and only 10 car lengths behind a series of SUV, trucks, and tractors. Following any closer would put my family and I in danger if those vehicles decided to slam their brakes. So I decided to take my foot off the gas and coast down to 55-60 to let him pass and he did. Being that I am from the area, I know when to move over to the fast lane and when to get get back to the right lane. About 5 miles from when the Prius almost slammed into the back of my car, traffic came to a halt. So I slowed down and applied by brakes accordingly; tap for a second and off until I needed to stop completely. Not following too close afford me the ability to not wear or ride my brakes and still be able to stop long before needed. After at least 2 seconds later (probably more like 5 seconds) from when all traffic around me as well as my car were at a standstill, I heard and felt a thump from the rear. I looked back and saw the same Prius now just crashed into me.
I called the State trooper we didn't want to get out his car to check for damage. My rear bumper is pretty messed up on the lower end as my Accord sits much higher than the Prius. The cop gave each driver a paper to exchange information and I called the offender's insurance after that. I also took a picture of his DL but not his insurance as the cop didn't want me to do it. It's Tuesday and I still haven't heard from his insurance yet. I am going to call tomorrow and check the status. [censored] police didn't want to write up a report so they have a record of the accident.
I hate people following too close and think people should move over for them. People do that to me all the time on interstate highways, regardless of my speed. I never speed up and just let them pass me at their own risk. My wife thinks I should speed up and be closer to the front driver I told her to mind her business and drive normally and carefully regardless of how traffic is. I always keep a good distance between me and the fellow in front. If possible, I also like to keep a good distance with the guy in the rear, especially if he's a big vehicle. But I am not going to do so by driving faster because tailgaters always speed up and close in regardless of how hard you try to keep safe distance. It should and is the responsibility of rear drivers to keep safe distance from those in front.
I think it is ironic that the same stupid Prius driver rear-ended me after I already gave him ample warning 5 miles back to not follow too close. He's from Connecticut and this happened in VA so I don't know why he was rushing. There is plenty of chance to make up time and I-95 passing through NOVA, D.C., Beltway, and some park of NJ Turnpike aren't the place to do it in bad weather.
