Ticket Question (rear-end accidents)

[Question]

I was driving today while it was raining. I was coming to stop at a red light (heavy traffic) and I went into a skid. I managed to regain control of my vehicle but I was fearful of hitting the car in front of me.

So a question popped up in my mind. If I did hit the car, of course I would be liable, but would the police officer give me a ticket? Of course there is no hard and fast answer to this, but I believe our city has a policy to write a ticket if possible in every accident.

If I would not have regained control of my car and I hit the car in front of me, would you have written me a ticket?

Another scenario also involving rear-ending:

Somebody told me recently how he got into an accident on the highway because a bunch of people braked really hard and abruptly in front of him while approaching a traffic jam. He was at fault, but would you issue a ticket in this case?

[Retired Trooper]

99.9% of rear end accidents end in the person who rear ended getting a citation and held at fault. Or you could have gotten a too fast for conditions ticket also.

[JD45]

yep, just like K-911 said, either unsafe for conditions, or following too close would have been the primary collision factor for the accident you desribed.

In CA you have to attend a basic accident investigation course before you issue a citation at the scene of an accident most of the time. The reason I say most of the time is there is always an exception. If you see skid marks going through a stop sign, then you could cite for running a stop sign even w/o attending the course.

After attending the course, it's still our descretion whether to cite or not or it's dependant on departmental policy.

[michiganstud]

I was driving today while it was raining. I was coming to stop at a red light (heavy traffic) and I went into a skid.

Because you were driving too fast for road conditions.

So a question popped up in my mind. If I did hit the car, of course I would be liable, but would the police officer give me a ticket?

Yes, you can be ticketed for DWHUA. The exact offense here in Michigan would be "failure to stop in assured and clear distance". It is up to the officer, but yes, I would give a ticket for that.

Another scenario also involving rear-ending:

Somebody told me recently how he got into an accident on the highway because a bunch of people braked really hard and abruptly in front of him while approaching a traffic jam. He was at fault, but would you issue a ticket in this case?

Situational.....but yes, again, everyone could theoretically get a ticket. You must be in control of your vehicle and know that you can stop short of hitting something in your path.

[JD45]

Yes, you can be ticketed for DWHUA.

LOL, I like citing for that...:D

[Question]

I'll give you some background on my speed.

Speed Limit - 35. My Speed - 30 to 35.

Personally, I thought I skidded because of my braking style (usually abrupt) rather than because of speed itself.

In order to prevent a potential accident in these conditions, would driving at a lower speed be better (in this case say around 25 MPH), would leaving a larger space cushion be better, would braking more steadily and ahead of time be better, or should I do a combination of these three things (or something different)?

[JD45]

I'll give you some background on my speed.

Speed Limit - 35. My Speed - 30 to 35.

Personally, I thought I skidded because of my braking style (usually abrupt) rather than because of speed itself.

In order to prevent a potential accident in these conditions, would driving at a lower speed be better (in this case say around 25 MPH), would leaving a larger space cushion be better, would braking more steadily and ahead of time be better, or should I do a combination of these three things (or something different)?

You got it right on the button with all three.

[acreature]

What's an accident?

[Question]

A collision. Happy?

You remind me of my driver's ed teacher, acreature.

[acreature]

There are advantages to wearing the Doo-Doo Brown. No Accidents/Collisions.... That's what Troopers are for ;)

[Retired Trooper]

I'll give you some background on my speed.

Speed Limit - 35. My Speed - 30 to 35.

Personally, I thought I skidded because of my braking style (usually abrupt) rather than because of speed itself.

In order to prevent a potential accident in these conditions, would driving at a lower speed be better (in this case say around 25 MPH), would leaving a larger space cushion be better, would braking more steadily and ahead of time be better, or should I do a combination of these three things (or something different)?

too fast for conditions has nothing to do with the speed limit. It simply means that no matter the speed limit that you were traveling too fast for the current road conditions.

[MORA Ranger]

I've been rear ended twice. Why can't people have a decent following distance? Is it so hard? (I'm not saying you didn't since you managed to avoid a collision). Driving in California traffic made me crazy. I'd get a nice, comfortable cushion between me and the car in front and it was like a big neon sign appeared above my truck "CUT ME OFF!" And there would go my nice cushion. Therefore, I have no sympathy for people who rear end others and they get tickets.

[txinvestigator1]

Remember the Speed Limit is the maximum safe speed under IDEAL conditions.

[Darin]

Fail to Maintain Control. 36CFR 4.22(b)(3). $85.00 payable within 21 days. Thank you and come again.

Thats what I was gonna say.

[scott715us]

I was driving today while it was raining. I was coming to stop at a red light (heavy traffic) and I went into a skid. I managed to regain control of my vehicle but I was fearful of hitting the car in front of me.

So a question popped up in my mind. If I did hit the car, of course I would be liable, but would the police officer give me a ticket? Of course there is no hard and fast answer to this, but I believe our city has a policy to write a ticket if possible in every accident.

If I would not have regained control of my car and I hit the car in front of me, would you have written me a ticket?

Another scenario also involving rear-ending:

Somebody told me recently how he got into an accident on the highway because a bunch of people braked really hard and abruptly in front of him while approaching a traffic jam. He was at fault, but would you issue a ticket in this case?

You would probably get one from me for "driving too fast for conditions." If the vehicle in front was in motion (and not stopped), another charge of following improperly would follow.

On your second question, anyone that rear ends another vehicle in 99% of the cases was following too close. When traveling behind vehicles, drivers are advised to keep a distance of 2 seconds between them and the front vehicle. That way, if someone does slam on the brakes, you will have enough distance to either stop or avoid the forward vehicle. ;)