I had someone follow me today
Posted by Low-Carpenter7411@reddit | driving | View on Reddit | 37 comments
I'm on my way to school and I look in the mirror and see a car riding my bumper. I kept driving and the car was following me, but most cars go the same way I do to school so I didn't think much of it. I turn into my school with the same car following me and turn into the lot to park and they come speeding down as a turn. I move to go and park, they stop their car, see that I'm about to park, and then speed off really fast out of the parking lot.
It was really weird and I needed to get it off of my chest since it was on my mind all day.
Cute_Mouse6436@reddit
I highly recommend that everyone read "The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence". It is a nonfiction self-help book written by Gavin de Becker.
I recommend the book but I don't support the man.
OldWrenchTurner@reddit
Carry a loaded gun that you know how to use, concealed permit, and have no fear I say.
Cute_Mouse6436@reddit
What are your life experiences which have lead to this suggestion?
Necro_the_Pyro@reddit
Do you have a fire extinguisher in your house?
datanerdette@reddit
Is your school a high school? If so, you should notify one of your administrators. Someone following a minor and going onto school property like that is very creepy and possibly dangerous.
AdSalt9219@reddit
I was followed out of a bank drive up window by a guy in a women's wig who was undoubtedly after the cash I had just withdrawn. I'm sure he was armed. Like others have said, drive to a police station.
Turbulent-Artist961@reddit
Pro tip if you believe you are being followed drive around the block in a circle if they continue to follow right behind you call the police or floor it and shake em off your call
BYNX0@reddit
Do not “floor it”. This is not a car chase. If anything you’ll get a reckless driving and street racing charge. Call 911 and do as the operator instructs. Do not drive home or to your real destination, try to find the nearest police or fire station.
Turbulent-Artist961@reddit
can't always rely on police especially in a potentially dangerous situation. Raise hell and burn rubber brother they ain't catching me.
BYNX0@reddit
you sound like a dangerous and reckless person. If you are in imminent danger (being shot at or equivalent), then I understand. But simply being followed is not imminent. You’d end up getting charged with reckless driving and/or street racing if you get caught.
Turbulent-Artist961@reddit
I live in high crime area and while I wouldn’t suggest this in any other situation obviously but gotta put that hammer down and fucking drive like your life depends on it because it very well might. Ruthless gangs in the area are known for stalking victims.
imme629@reddit
I had a car following me once. Did the four turns and they still followed. I was in the town i lived in which had their own police force. I called and they told me which way to drive so they could send an officer. As he arrived the car took off. The officer then followed me home to make sure I got there safely. Wish I still lived there.
ReddtitsACesspool@reddit
Maybe they thought you were someone else? Maybe a PI? Unless you did something accidentally that would enrage the driver, seems a little strange to be doing for fun
redflower5@reddit
That’s so creepy! If it happens again, drive to a police station and/or try to get a look at their plate and memorize it
mellywheats@reddit
if i’m sus that someone is following me i take like 4 right turns bc it’ll bring me around in a circle.. if they’re still following then they’re actually following me. I’ve never had someone complete the full circle before though thank god. But if they’re still following did i’d try to pull into a police station but idek where the closest one is lol.
once i was on my street and its a dead end and i was like “this person i still behind me wtf” so i drove past my building and went around the cul-de-sac and they were still following so i pulled over where a lot of cars usually park and stopped for a bit and they drove off.. but i tried to remember their plate and never saw them again.
billwutangmurry@reddit
Good idea. But some states don't have front license plates. In that case I'd (and prolly along w trying to get the plates) memorize the make and model of car
Low-Carpenter7411@reddit (OP)
Thank you, I was thinking about calling somebody but it didn't seem like such a big deal until they started speeding off
redflower5@reddit
Totally understand. But you’re right to pay attention! I’m sorry that happened. Hope it doesn’t happen again.
OldWrenchTurner@reddit
Keep you a stun gun in your car and pepper spray.
RideAffectionate518@reddit
You probably cut them off or were driving slower than they liked and they thought they were intimidating you by following you to your destination and acting creepy. And I guess it worked. You probably didn't even realize what you did that pissed them off.
K_Linkmaster@reddit
Do you have a common car or is it unique to you? I know people that have chased down the wrong Ford Taurus or wrong Camry, trying to catch a friend.
Anything at all that says HI, I am OP?
Back before social anxiety was rampant, they wouldn't drive away, they would say "sorry, I thought you were my friend Jason".
Fean0r_@reddit
Get a dash cam
Protholl@reddit
This and for many other reasons. Buy a dashcam that has a rear camera option and parking mode. Be sure to get a name brand and none of the ebay/amazon/aliexpress/temu stuff that has funky names and no documentation. Look on youtube for dashcam reviews from Vortex, Blackbox or Cnet
echo_499@reddit
Black box I can vouch for but my current dashcam is 70mai
NikocadosAsshole@reddit
If you have a student driver sticker that could make them be weird af and try to scare you or something
SnooDonuts6494@reddit
Paranoia.
FamiliarRadio9275@reddit
You’re the problem. Creepers are out there and gets away with it for down players like you. Couldn’t have been nothing? Sure but treat like it’s something because it obviously doesn’t sound normal either.
cryptolyme@reddit
Ignorance.
Cute_Mouse6436@reddit
I've been followed and went into a gas station. The group, yes an actual group, got a good look at me and the leader apologized and said that he had mistaken me for someone else. It was very stressful.
violentfelon@reddit
when people follow me I like to start driving into the most ghetto places in town. The more dangerous the better. They usually peel off once you get into Nortenos territory.
Hot-Win2571@reddit
Are you behind in your car payments? If that was someone preparing to repo your car, they're not very good.
Most likely it was some road rager that couldn't find a convenient place to stop and yell at you, so they went on their way.
CurtRemark@reddit
What could be more convenient than a parking lot?
Low-Carpenter7411@reddit (OP)
Honestly just hope I'm thinking way too much into it, it was just so weird they sped off and went the completely opposite way after following me
ILJ1414@reddit
Definitely keep being aware. I had. Situation like this with someone I knew and definitely think he.meant to do me harm. It was dark and raining and being new to the city I didn't know where the local pd was so I pulled into a shopping center and ran into a restaurant and sat facing the window. Within a Few minutes I saw the guy that was with him walk by but he didn't see me. I sat for awhile then left and they had given up and left. It still creeps me out to this day.
AtYiE45MAs78@reddit
It might be your boyfriends side piece.
Chizuru_San@reddit
Probably they are just going the same way you did. You might be overthinking it. Next time try to go in a loop. If they are still following you after one loop, then run into another loop. If they are still following you after two loops, then they are 100% following you.
Low-Carpenter7411@reddit (OP)
You're probably right, thank you