Opinions on Brake Checking?

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BrassMonkey-NotAFed@reddit

If you brake check people, you deserve to be tossed out of a helicopter over the ocean.

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CanuckInATruck@reddit

As a trucker, you get 2. Do it a 3rd time and I'm standing on the throttle and parking my rig in your back seat.

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inkseep1@reddit

It is not open for debate. It is clearly illegal. Steve Lehto, attorney explains: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTSRr2BXk38 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbmgt4BkWd0

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KennyWuKanYuen@reddit

Never. And this extends to coast checking too.

If you’re going to be a slower driver, yield. Don’t be a dick. Mind your surroundings and always keep the mentality of you’re holding someone up. It keeps people moving and your politeness of yielding goes a long way.

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Live_Region9581@reddit

idiotic.

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Cyber_Insecurity@reddit

Not really a smart thing to do when a lot of people have dash cams.

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Away-Revolution2816@reddit

I used to work with a guy who drove a 3500 Dually pickup truck. Big pintle hitch on an iron bumper. He installed a brake light cut off switch.

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Ericzx_1@reddit

Low emotional iq

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iAMtheMASTER808@reddit

Completely agree. I always see people with these stupid bumper stickers “My brakes are good. How’s your insurance?”. Bitch I have a dash cam and if you brake check me u will be found at fault. How’s YOUR insurance?

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jackster821@reddit

Brake checking is a major reason I have a dash cam.

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Wendel7171@reddit

So is tailgating for no reason

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Distinct_Word_4717@reddit (OP)

obviously. Doesn't justify brake checking.

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Nostromo_USCSS@reddit

i’ve never actually brake checked anyone, but god it’s tempting. try me bitch, i’ll take us both out

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cantareSF@reddit

Reckless and dangerous behavior.

However, in the era of cruise control, tapping the pedal to cancel it flashes the brake lights and can look like a brake check to following drivers.

I've had a few volatile tailgaters take it that way, get pissed off, and flip me the bird, swerve at me, or cut me off when I only intended to change lanes or gradually slow down. 🤷‍♂️

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andrei_stefan01@reddit

I'm a car guy and did not know that. I'd imagine it's not common knowledge. Wouldn't that be silly discovering half of these brake checks were simply a misunderstanding. 😂

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gekco01@reddit

However, in the era of cruise control, tapping the pedal to cancel it flashes the brake lights

For this reason alone, I'll just hit cancel or turn cruise control off when I want to slow down gradually.

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cantareSF@reddit

I try to do that as well, but the brake tap is instinctive (and 99% of the time it doesn't start drama), so I sometimes forget.

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NastyUno34@reddit

It’s actually highly illegal and you should call the police and report those hammerheads every time you come across one. Insurance companies hate them too because they drive up costs for the insurer with the litany of preventable accidents they like to cause.

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pizza99pizza99@reddit

Uh fuck opinions, factually, it is illegal. Yes following to closely is illegal, but so is intentionally causing an accident, and so is intentionally taking an action that unintentionally causes an accident

Also, insurance companies are not stupid. They are the reason that in most states if you slam on the breaks and get rear ended, you have to have a perceived threat to avoid liability. If they find you slammed on the breaks or otherwise break checked for no reason, your ass will lay with liability as well

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sassansanei@reddit

Where I live (Ontario, Canada), it is an ON THE SPOT seizure and impounding of vehicle, and immediate suspension of driver’s licence. That’s roadside by the police. No judge, no jury, no trial. It’s straight to the impound yard.

That’s later followed by a mandatory court appearance with penalties of up to 6 months in jail, and a hefty fine ($2,000 minimum / $10,000 maximum). The judge has no discretion to go below the minimum.

That’s for a first offence. With escalating penalties for second and subsequent offences.

Also your insurance premiums will easily be in the five figures for the next six years, if you can even find anyone to insure you.

We don’t mess around when it comes to this level of driving stupidity. 🇨🇦

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MikeP001@reddit

Click bait. Of course it's moronic. Even worse, it escalates an annoying situation to psychopathic when the brake checking driver is trying to cause harm.

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Francesca_N_Furter@reddit

What's the point? Just slow down normally---it will still irritate the lunatic riding your back bumper, and is much safer.

If you are the tailgater this is for you---> Ha ha ha, I'm in front. I'M FIRST!! (just kidding)

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AndyW037@reddit

This tactic works great! I do this all the time, if they have high-beam LED lights, I go even slower 😉.

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MikeP001@reddit

Works, because you're both psychopaths. While you both play your silly game those of use further back are inconvenienced further - even more if he hits you. Just keep your gap in front and ignore them, or pull over and let them by if they scare you.

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Blu_yello_husky@reddit

I don't do it cause it doesn't accomplish anything and I don't want my rates to go up when someone rear ends me. Then I have to stop, exchange info.. ugh. Huge waste of time.

When someone does it to me, it doesn't bother me a whole lot, I always just think to myself they ought to be pretty stupid, trying to brake check a car like mine is like brake checking a tank. Your car is gonna get destroyed and mine won't have a scratch on it, so it's your choice I guess

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funkcatbrown@reddit

Brake check me and I’ll hit your rear corner and PIT you and probably put you in the wall or off the road and destroy your car.

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TheHatefulRedditor@reddit

Nah just let go of the accelerator

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relsseS@reddit

I love brake checking. I do it to semis who drive in the passing lane/switch lanes without indication, flashy cars that tailgate me, or cars that I've noticed changing lanes without a signal or driving recklessly; if they end up behind me, I like to really squeeze the brakes, then speed up when they attempt to pass me in anger.

Downvote all you want

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Blathithor@reddit

It doesn't matter who's at fault if your car is broken and you need it for work.

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Blathithor@reddit

It doesn't matter who's at fault if your car is broken and you need it for work.

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philzar@reddit

Agreed, though I think you may be too kind.

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Myzx@reddit

Never do it. Antagonizing people is always a bad idea, and doing it behind the wheel is a force multiplier. Just don't do it.

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Myzx@reddit

Never do it. Antagonizing people is always a bad idea, and doing it behind the wheel is a force multiplier. Just don't do it.

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Suspicious-Cod-582@reddit

Fuck inconsiderate people. Just move over if you can. I don’t need the stress.

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golfguy1985@reddit

Tailgating kind of is too

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Some_Pop345@reddit

We have a criminal offence in the UK of “dangerous driving”.

Although “brake checking” is not specifically defined, it has been prosecuted in the broadly defined offence

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DesertStorm480@reddit

Tailgating and brake checking are both using your vehicle as a weapon.

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Danpool13@reddit

I use my music as a weapon instead.

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Danpool13@reddit

I use my music as a weapon instead.

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Unfortunate-Incident@reddit

Tailgating=/=ramming your vehicle into someones rear end. Tailgating can be done subconsciously, just following someone along too closely; especially at lower speed limits.

Brake checking is intentionally attempting to cause an accident. No other way around it. Is tailgating intentionally attempting to cause an accident?

No, no matter what you think, tailgating is not intentionally trying to cause someone to wreck. That would be ramming.

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DesertStorm480@reddit

People do purposely tailgate to intimidate others, other people tailgate because they don't know any better. Firing a gun into the air is not an intentional act to harm someone generally, but someone can get hurt or killed.

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1GloFlare@reddit

That's why the police do it, it's how they get you when your plate comes back clean.

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revuhlutionn@reddit

I personally tailgate when someone abruptly slows down for no apparent reason. I’m not slamming on my brakes. If they are intimidated that’s on them.

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Senior-Dimension2332@reddit

Why not just go around if you're on a highway? Of just back off if you're on a surface single lane road? Even if you don't see why someone is slowing down in front of you, you should assume they have a reason, slow down, and give them some space. Why is this a hard concept for some people? And if they're just a slow driver, then so be it. You can't do anything about that so why make the situation worse for yourself?

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Unfortunate-Incident@reddit

Traffic smoothing

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Senior-Dimension2332@reddit

By tailgating?

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DesertStorm480@reddit

That's more of a temporary thing where you are not accelerating while being too close, you are just using up some of the gap, I do that as well.

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CafeTeo@reddit

Great point.

But, To pretend this is a simple situation is willful ignorance.

Remember especially if they are in a tiny car with a lifted Ram moron on their ass. And no where to go. You get desperate.

Just like a kid being bullied will lash out.

It is wrong. I never do it. I do what I can to get out of their way, or slow extremely carefully to a safer speed to be tailgated with a focus to get out of their way and let them move on.

But I can understand why someone would do it. They are wrong and SHOULD NEVER DO IT. but I understand why they did.

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jumper34017@reddit

Agreed. Not only should it be an automatic license revocation, you should go to jail for reckless endangerment for it.

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Distinct_Word_4717@reddit (OP)

100% agree. No matter how frustrated I am its never worth the risk.

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RejectorPharm@reddit

Only time I brake check is on the race track.

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BenjaminAnthony@reddit

It 100% should be attempted murder in some cases and at very least some sort of assault/battery charge in others

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Complete_Tadpole6620@reddit

Don't do it. There's no need. Just maintain your speed and let the twat behind realise you aren't intimidated. They usually pull back after a while. But make sure you're doing the speed limit if it's safe to do so. Remember, it's your call, drive to your limits, not theirs

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Baalwulf06@reddit

If I'm in the right lane please god tell me why your trying to fuck my backseat with your engine block. Just go around me I'm already going 80!

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SilentMaster@reddit

I do not understand it at all. To me it's the equivalent of swerving at a car beside you or gunning it towards pedestrians crossing in front of you. It goes against everything I know about driving and I don't know who came up with it nor do I have any idea what they were trying to accomplish.

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cr250250r@reddit

To point is to get the idiot person away from you. To problem is which one is the idiot. People constantly pace my trailer when there is miles of road. Right in my blind spot giving me no options if something happens. Am I the idiot for wiggling my trailer a little so they leave my mind spot or are they the idiot camping in my blind spot next to my trailer that takes up the whole lane. I’m not saying I’m trying to hit them, just a little movement where they get off their phone and speed up. It’s bad enough I am required by law to go 10-15 mph slower than a car so I’m getting blown by. Just get away from me. Haha

So yeah a full blown brake check is stupid. But just letting off the gas so they think twice isn’t horrible.

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1GloFlare@reddit

That's not always the case. I drive a little ass sedan and SUV drivers will purposefully speed up, so I'm now in there blind spot - that is attempted murder and jokes on them because I have a camera

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cr250250r@reddit

Just want to make sure I understand. You are doing your thing and a suv puts you in a bad spot because they put you in their blind spot? That’s literally what my post was about. Lol. Idiots put themselves in a bad position and I’m making them aware. Are saying that moving my trailer over 3” each way within my own lane is attempted murder? Haha. That’s funny.

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violentfelon@reddit

i will gear down as a last resort to make tailgaters go around. But I will NEVER brake check! That shit if caught on camera can and does get prosecuted all the time.

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CafeTeo@reddit

Ok so I agree there is no need for it and it should never be done. Full stop.

But I think it is pretty straight forward and easy to think of many reasons why people do it and how they justify it.

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Fickle_ficus@reddit

I've actually seen someone swerve their car towards another car before. It was terrifying! The person was trying to merge back into traffic after speeding along the shoulder.

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VampArcher@reddit

People who brake check be like: 'To prove you are a dangerous driver, I am going to purposefully cause an accident and get us both nearly killed, and it'll all be your fault.'

People who purposefully cause a crash for any reason are psychopaths who deserve should have their license revoked and face criminal charges.

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Sherman_and_Luna@reddit

I mean, if you get caught brake checking someone you can be held liable for the resulting wreck in some situations.

The person doing the brake checking can lie, but video recording of someone who tries to continuously brake check someone behind them have gotten in trouble in the past, If you lane change aggressively, if you swerve on the road, even while staying in your own lane, can still be considered unsafe driving/reckless endangerment.

Dash cam is more or less required while driving nowadays.

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Moist-Share7674@reddit

I’ll confess to having done it in the past. Not anymore though, there are other ways. For example on a two lane that someone wants to tailgate and refuse to go around me I use my left turn signal and slow down like I’m gonna pull in a driveway. But then I’ll kill my signal and speed up and then do it all again like I’m unsure of where the correct house is. The left signal prevents them from going around (like they should have miles ago) and usually by the 3rd or 4th time they get the hint.

Also I will say that when I would check someone I’d do it the instant I see them look at something other than my vehicle. That always resulted in a spilled drink, sometimes even all over the dash and windshield. Ahhh the memories!

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Delicious-Window8650@reddit

"on a two lane that someone wants to tailgate...."

You are evil, EVIL!

And I like it. Well done.

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FearlessTomatillo911@reddit

Personally I think its dangerous, petty, and kind of childish.

Where I live, Ontario Canada, it is also very illegal and can be considered stunt driving which carries some of the harshest punishments.

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BenjaminAnthony@reddit

As a truck driver, I'll kill us all

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Mindless_Ad_6045@reddit

As someone who saw a lorry plough into stationary traffic, you would be the only one alive

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theglobalnomad@reddit

"Be the carnage you wish to see in the world."
-Buddha Ghandi or whatever, IDK

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Tobazz@reddit

Buddhi or Ghanda or somethin

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TheDeadMurder@reddit

Insert Nuclear Gandi

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Highroller4273@reddit

I worked with a woman once whos husband was killed when he was on a motorcycle and was break checked.

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chunkeez5ayoyo@reddit

I don't brake check ever.

I do downshift tho. If you only brake for brake lights, surprise! Wake the fuck up 🥰

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M2dag@reddit

I'd add, ALL TOO COMMON!

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Distinct_Word_4717@reddit (OP)

Lmao I can dell by my downvote ratio that quite a few people are feeling called out by this post/ the comments.

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Plastic-Gold4386@reddit

Stay out of the fast lane and nobody will brake check you when they finally get around you asshole

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Smart-Ferret-1826@reddit

The worst I've over done is a double tap just enough to flash the lights without slowing the car down. Usually message received and they back off a few feet

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Distinct_Word_4717@reddit (OP)

I only do that if traffic has stopped suddenly and the car is coming up behind me too fast and hasn't slowed down when they saw my break light.... I do it more as a warning of "hey there's a hard break right here start slowing now".

There's a long country road on my commute where the speed limit is 55mph but there is occasionally sudden stop-and-go traffic right over the crest of a hill. I feel like sometimes people aren't expecting a full stop (they think my break lights are just because of going down hill) and aren't paying attention because I have almost been rear-ended a couple of times.

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Smart-Ferret-1826@reddit

In that scenario you might be better flashing your hazards briefly. BTW, I started doing that with tailgaters. Hazards for 2-3 flashes instead of tapping brakes.

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Distinct_Word_4717@reddit (OP)

Thats a good idea! Never occurred to me to use them when I'm not broken down!

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freeball78@reddit

Found the guy that rides our asses.

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Distinct_Word_4717@reddit (OP)

I quite literally never tailgate. Also childish and petty. Bet you think actually think brake checking is "teaching people a lesson" tho.

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1GloFlare@reddit

Let them learn by being caught on camera and acquiring some new bracelets

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TSPGamesStudio@reddit

It's illegal, so there's that.

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violentfelon@reddit

brake checking is both dangerous and against the law. Gearing down within reason on the other hand is not...

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1GloFlare@reddit

Had somebody cut me off to do this unprovoked and my petty ass hit them with the uno reverse on the highway. Them she proceeded to do the same to some poor guy in a pickup - in a Chevy Cruze you're playing with death

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tianavitoli@reddit

meh, one time i was driving drunk and became upset with the person behind me i thought was following too closely. i slammed on my brakes and caused them to hit me. i got out and tried to confront them and they just drove off.

then all i could do was finish the delivery i was on and drive back to the pizza store.

i really liked that car so having the rear end caved in a bit wasn't really as satisfying as i thought it would be.

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trap_money_danny@reddit

I don't brake check.

If someone is going to ride my ass out of nowhere for no reason other than to try and weave through traffic, I might be inclined to coast at worst.

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UtegRepublic@reddit

Back in the 1970s, I had a 1964 Chrysler with a push-button transmission. If you were moving more than five miles per hour, there was an interlock which prevented pushing the Reverse button in, so to protect the transmission.

But it would let you push it just enough that the back-up lights came on. At night, that was usually enough to make tailgaters move back.

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YallWildSMH@reddit

Felony reckless operation.
A brake check not only puts the driver in danger, it puts the car behind them in danger, and every other car behind that person as well.

When a car 2-3 people in front of me brake checks they're putting me at risk because of their own emotional fragility.
Even if it's a 1 lane road I'd rather gradually slow to a stop with my flashers on than brake check someone. If a person wanting to go around makes someone feel that threatened they should have their license taken away.

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Impossible-Mind-1712@reddit

Felony reckless operation. Tailgating not only puts the driver in danger, it puts the car in front of them in danger, and every other car around that person as well.

When a car 2-3 people in front of me tailgates, they’re putting me at risk because of their own emotional fragility. Even if it’s a 1 lane road I’d rather gradually slow to a stop with my flashers on than tailgate someone. If a person wanting to go around makes someone feel that threatened they should have their license taken away.

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YallWildSMH@reddit

I like how you were unable to transpose the last 2 sentences because you wouldn't be able to cry about tailgaters if you actually did those things.
I almost never get tailgaited bc my ego isn't hurt when I let someone go around.

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Impossible-Mind-1712@reddit

Tailgating not only puts the driver at risk, but it endangers the vehicle they’re following and every car behind them as well.

When someone two or three cars behind me tailgates, they’re putting me and everyone else on the road at risk because of their inability to control their impatience or aggression. Even on a one-lane road, I’d rather maintain a safe speed or gradually slow down with my flashers on than engage in dangerous behavior. If a person feels the need to tailgate to intimidate others, they shouldn’t be allowed behind the wheel. It’s reckless and shows a disregard for everyone’s safety.

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Altruistic_Koala_122@reddit

Feels like it should be treated like most MV crimes, with a prison sentence.

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Due_Bowler_7129@reddit

I don't brake check because I don't brake unless I have to which is usually when I'm stuck behind all the Sunday drivers. Nobody tailgates me because I get the fuck out of the way; it costs me nothing and I have no ground to stand.

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Abject_Concert7079@reddit

If by "brake checking" you mean braking hard enough to actually slow the vehicle down, then yes this is irresponsible and dangerous. If you mean just tapping the pedal to flash the brake lights without slowing, that is fair game in some situations.

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Distinct_Word_4717@reddit (OP)

Agreed!

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Cranks_No_Start@reddit

Think of it like Freeway Rodeo...Hit the brakes and see of the guy behind you holds his lane for 8 seconds.

I AM JUST KIDDING>>>>DONT DO THIS PEOPLE.

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Sharp-Jicama4241@reddit

Completely valid to do if being tailgated in the non passing lanes. I got drilled and slotted rotors between a 2 piston caliper on all four corners. You are not out braking me.

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CafeTeo@reddit

Never do it.

But when I am getting HYPER tailgated with no where to go. It certainly crosses my mind. I feel like I am being attacked and bullied. And I have no other options available to me. I don't and I know it can cause way more issues.

But I am a tiny care with a lifted truck about to kill my kids. I am scared and trying to think of how to get them to back off.

Logic begins to leave as the gut takes over. And if it gets too much control... Well this is when bad shit happens.

It would be MUCH better if people never tailgated.

Getting angry at brake checkers is like getting angry at a kid who is bullied lashing out. Yeah it should not have happened. But it is not a simple situation.

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OkIndependent1667@reddit

I’m all for it, do it when ever i get the chance

especially those free ones garages sometimes do

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SuperSathanas@reddit

It's just never a good idea. In the best case, the person riding your ass gets the message and backs up. In the worst case, someone ends up dead. Between those two extremes there's more road rage, collisions, insurance and police involvement. Maybe a good maiming. The chance that the person will just back up and stop being aggressive is too small to ever consider it.

Instead of brake checking, I just get annoying. I'll make my speed inconsistent by letting up off the throttle a little or coasting, slow down like 10 mph, then slowly speed back up, then slow down, then speed up to faster than I was going before, slow down again, speed up again, over and over, either until they get tired of it and back up or pass. The trick to this is that you have to do it in a way that it just seems like you're not paying attention to your speed. If it's apparently that you're doing it to them, then it has the same effect as a brake check and you just end up pissing the other guy off, which leads to more ass riding. Of course, you also don't do it if there's other traffic close behind the ass rider, because then you have a whole line of cars that you're causing to accordion back and forth.

If the dude doesn't change his behavior in response to me being annoying to drive behind, then I just say fuck it and set the cruise back at the speed I was originally going.

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RejectorPharm@reddit

Never do it.

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nullpha@reddit

Not allowed in racing.

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DukeRains@reddit

I don't brake check. I just slow down to about 5 under the speed limit and wait for the idiot behind me to detonate with their little tantrum.

It's hilarious.

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