ColtDriver
Junior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Massachusetts
I was driving along the Massachusetts Turnpike two days ago, going with the flow of traffic in the left lane -- about 72 mph (in a 65 zone), along with 3-4 other cars who were ahead of me and also passing slower-moving traffic in the middle lane. A black car came up behind me and began tailgating so close that I almost panicked. I tapped my brake lights, but he/she did not back off. I was afraid of slowing down, because the driver was so close to the back of my car. When we passed the traffic that was to my right, I moved back into the middle lane, thinking the reckless driver would continue in the left lane and tailgate the next guy ahead of me. Instead, the driver followed me into the middle lane and KEPT TAILGATING me. I couldn't get into the right lane, I was afraid of slowing down lest the drive hit me, and so instead I floored my accelerator, trying to zoom ahead of the reckless driver and cut into the left lane in a fashion that he wouldn't be able to follow me.
As I was about to cut left, the tailgating car began flashing police lights - it was an unmarked state trooper who had been tailgating me the whole time! He ticketed me for going 90 in a 65 (clocked and estimated) (which was furthermore bulls*** - I drive a 92 colt, which was filled with boxes of books, and can't even go that fast when it's empty!). I tried to object (politely) to the officer's intimidation tactics and dangerous, reckless driving, but he would have none of it. I want to file a complaint against him, as well as contest the ticket. I'll accept responsibility for driving 72 in a 65 zone (which will definitely not be the $250 fine he gave me!), but I acted in self-defense by trying to get away from his incredibly aggressive and dangerous driving. Any advice here? What are my rights?
I was driving along the Massachusetts Turnpike two days ago, going with the flow of traffic in the left lane -- about 72 mph (in a 65 zone), along with 3-4 other cars who were ahead of me and also passing slower-moving traffic in the middle lane. A black car came up behind me and began tailgating so close that I almost panicked. I tapped my brake lights, but he/she did not back off. I was afraid of slowing down, because the driver was so close to the back of my car. When we passed the traffic that was to my right, I moved back into the middle lane, thinking the reckless driver would continue in the left lane and tailgate the next guy ahead of me. Instead, the driver followed me into the middle lane and KEPT TAILGATING me. I couldn't get into the right lane, I was afraid of slowing down lest the drive hit me, and so instead I floored my accelerator, trying to zoom ahead of the reckless driver and cut into the left lane in a fashion that he wouldn't be able to follow me.
As I was about to cut left, the tailgating car began flashing police lights - it was an unmarked state trooper who had been tailgating me the whole time! He ticketed me for going 90 in a 65 (clocked and estimated) (which was furthermore bulls*** - I drive a 92 colt, which was filled with boxes of books, and can't even go that fast when it's empty!). I tried to object (politely) to the officer's intimidation tactics and dangerous, reckless driving, but he would have none of it. I want to file a complaint against him, as well as contest the ticket. I'll accept responsibility for driving 72 in a 65 zone (which will definitely not be the $250 fine he gave me!), but I acted in self-defense by trying to get away from his incredibly aggressive and dangerous driving. Any advice here? What are my rights?
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