[Carlos.]

Thanks to the fellow in a white transit connect van this morning on the A66, who was so close to my tail that when the car in front of me braked very heavily, I had two options:

1. Slam on my anchors and let him run into the back of my new Cooper (with both little jackals in the back seat). BECAUSE I HAD LEFT ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP

2. Brake hard enough that he could avoid running into me, but not hard enough that I could avoid the car in front.

Rather than let him smash in to the back of me, and potentially shunting me into the car ahead, I took the second decision so that the little jackals only had to take one hit, Itried very hard not to, but eventaully hit the car in front, crumpling my bonnet and bumper, but letting the idiot behind avoid me by an inch (literally!)

Id also like to thank Cleveland Constabulary for their very visible presence on this stretch of road over the last few years - NOT!

Still, at least there are speed cameras down that stretch of road to catch idiots like my new friend, the tailgater.

Now, wheres the M4? Protest, anyone?

[ButtonIt]

Ah crap

Sorry to hear that Carlos

The fact that the mini is incredibly strong in the rear means that in the same situation I will always go for a rear hit. Unfortunately I guess the insurance company will see this as your fault too, since no one hit you from behind.

[ButtonIt]

Hope the little Jackals weren't too hurt or upset by the ordeal.

[Harpo]

A bit late but...

A RoSPA examiner once told me that if you can't pull over to let tailgaters through, drive as though you're drunk!!!

Apparently, they will never tailgate a drunk driver as they are more acutely aware of the possibility of an accident.

In any event, I'd rather have a dented Mini than dented kids. Glad yours are OK.

[Boondox]

Wow, I had to think of how I would handle something like that and was forced to admit that here in the states, with our culture of litigation, (and having seen several pics of just how rugged the Mini passenger compartment is), I would have taken the hit in back.

Of course all this is supposed to flash thru your mind in an instant...and like you, my first reaction would have been to protect the munchkins! pb

[fred3]

Quote: Originally Posted by carlos2

Thanks to the fellow in a white transit connect van this morning on the A66, who was so close to my tail that when the car in front of me braked very heavily, I had two options:

1. Slam on my anchors and let him run into the back of my new Cooper (with both little jackals in the back seat). BECAUSE I HAD LEFT ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP

2. Brake hard enough that he could avoid running into me, but not hard enough that I could avoid the car in front.

Rather than let him smash in to the back of me, and potentially shunting me into the car ahead, I took the second decision so that the little jackals only had to take one hit, Itried very hard not to, but eventaully hit the car in front, crumpling my bonnet and bumper, but letting the idiot behind avoid me by an inch (literally!)

Id also like to thank Cleveland Constabulary for their very visible presence on this stretch of road over the last few years - NOT!

Still, at least there are speed cameras down that stretch of road to catch idiots like my new friend, the tailgater.

Now, wheres the M4? Protest, anyone?

that you were also following too close. If you don't have enough time to stop safely for you and anyone behind you when the person you're following makes an emergency stop then you are following too close as well. It's called defensive driving. Nuff said.

[Carlos.]

Taking the hit in the back would only have shunted me into the car in front anyway, as I m guessing he was going fast enough to hit me with enough force to affect my braking - i.e. knock me off the brake pedal. - and as the littlest jackal is only 6 months. i guessed one hit was better than two.

Unfortunately, white van idiot also go t hit from the rear. I was so sorry for him. NOT.

My real point Fred, is that on a very busy road, there is no visible police presence. EVER. They seem to think that erecting speed cameras is enough to improve road safety on that stretch of road. I am a very experienced driver, and have NEVER had an accident in 15 years of driving - but when you have small children/babies in the car, your first thought is how best to protect them. The guy was going to rear end me whatever happened - Im just glad the children were OK

[RedUn]

Quote: Originally Posted by fred3

that you were also following too close. If you don't have enough time to stop safely for you and anyone behind you when the person you're following makes an emergency stop then you are following too close as well. It's called defensive driving. Nuff said.

sorry but if some ones rite behind u(happens over this side of the pond a LOT) how do u know how good their brakes are? tires are? if they are actually watching? if u took it all into account u wud have to leave a gap of about 6 miles(slight exageration) but then people wud just pull into yer safety gap anyway!

I've had to drive on the central reservation once before as there was an accident a few cars infront and the person behind wasn't looking where they were going!

carlos I think u did the rite thing my self, I hope u get the car sorted and everything is ok for u

[wantsacoopers]

any pics

[ScottyG]

Quote: Originally Posted by wantsacoopers

any pics

Are you taking the pi55? ******!

[ALD0]

Would of let him go into back of me-Ur insurance will now pay oout for ur rear Shunt.
Glad all occupants are ok

[Cooper54]

Sorry to hear ur car got smashed and glade that u and ur passangers are ok. But why the dig at Cleveland police??

[northandy]

Quote: Originally Posted by carlos2

Thanks to the fellow in a white transit connect van this morning on the A66, who was so close to my tail that when the car in front of me braked very heavily, I had two options:

1. Slam on my anchors and let him run into the back of my new Cooper (with both little jackals in the back seat). BECAUSE I HAD LEFT ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP

2. Brake hard enough that he could avoid running into me, but not hard enough that I could avoid the car in front.

Rather than let him smash in to the back of me, and potentially shunting me into the car ahead, I took the second decision so that the little jackals only had to take one hit, Itried very hard not to, but eventaully hit the car in front, crumpling my bonnet and bumper, but letting the idiot behind avoid me by an inch (literally!)

Id also like to thank Cleveland Constabulary for their very visible presence on this stretch of road over the last few years - NOT!

Still, at least there are speed cameras down that stretch of road to catch idiots like my new friend, the tailgater.

Now, wheres the M4? Protest, anyone?

Very Sorry to hear that.... the A66 is a rat race at the best of times, whereabouts on it was it ?... (I live in Stockton)....

They used to have an unmarked Blue 406 patrolling it, but since the cameras went in i've not seen it since...

[matt21]

sorry to hear it but personally i think u did a very noble and good thing. i know u were protecting your kids but to in effect in that split second decide to, in term of the law, be at fault then i think thats amazing. shame it damaged ur mini tho

[Lawrothegreat]

Quote: Originally Posted by Matt18

sorry to hear it but personally i think u did a very noble and good thing. i know u were protecting your kids but to in effect in that split second decide to, in term of the law, be at fault then i think thats amazing. shame it damaged ur mini tho

I completely agree; its annoying it will affect your insurance, but theres nothing more important than ensuring the safe passage of your little ones

[Gordonh]

sorry to hear that mate.

That sucks....

[Carlos.]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cooper54

Sorry to hear ur car got smashed and glade that u and ur passangers are ok. But why the dig at Cleveland police??

Because the only presence thay have down that stretch of road is 1 scamera

[Carlos.]

Quote: Originally Posted by northandy

Very Sorry to hear that.... the A66 is a rat race at the best of times, whereabouts on it was it ?... (I live in Stockton)....

They used to have an unmarked Blue 406 patrolling it, but since the cameras went in i've not seen it since...

Andy,

it was coming into stockton from darlo, just where the new junction has been opened. Just asa n aside, I went down the same stretch of road yesterday (Sunday) at around 4.30, and guess what? A manned scamera!!! At 4.30 on a Sunday???? Try putting a CAR on the road (visible, marked etc) any WEEKDAY (thats Monday thru to Friday for the hard of thinking at Cleveland Constabulary), possibly around the 8am - 9am time period (you know, thats the busy time where theres LOTS of cars on the road), and maybe again at 4.30 to 6(when it seems to get busy again for some reason?). It wont raise as much money, but it MAY just reduce the number of idiots practicing idiotic driving.

Go on guys, try it. Just once. Please.

PS

The MINI has now had a new front end, thanks to Tees Vehicle repairs - Fantastic Job!

[northandy]

Quote: Originally Posted by carlos2

Andy,

it was coming into stockton from darlo, just where the new junction has been opened. Just asa n aside, I went down the same stretch of road yesterday (Sunday) at around 4.30, and guess what? A manned scamera!!! At 4.30 on a Sunday???? Try putting a CAR on the road (visible, marked etc) any WEEKDAY (thats Monday thru to Friday for the hard of thinking at Cleveland Constabulary), possibly around the 8am - 9am time period (you know, thats the busy time where theres LOTS of cars on the road), and maybe again at 4.30 to 6(when it seems to get busy again for some reason?). It wont raise as much money, but it MAY just reduce the number of idiots practicing idiotic driving.

Go on guys, try it. Just once. Please.

PS

The MINI has now had a new front end, thanks to Tees Vehicle repairs - Fantastic Job!

I know the spot, ah well at least your all fixed now.

I'll keep an eye out for you, if you get a wave from a green boxster its just me

[PhilH]

Carlos m8, you know you did the right thing by the kids and the car is fixed and good as new, yes you'll have a premium to pay on future insurance but a small price to pay for the well being of the little ones I'm sure everyone will agree.

I agree with you on the Police front, a visible presence at the RIGHT times is not exactly hard to figure out is it. I've only ever seen plod there at quiet periods also.