Scenario: You are in unfamiliar country and are being tailed

Doug.38PR · Post by **Doug.38PR** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:34 pm

Suppose you are driving across the state one night away from your home town on a back highway one evening. You notice a car behind is behaving suspiciously and seems to be following you. You discover that you have forgotten to pocket your cell phone. Since you are in unfamiliar country, you don't know where the nearest police station is. You do have at least your handgun packed on your person, so if you are pulled off the road or are followed to your destination, you do have a chance...but you obviously don't want it to get to that point. What do you do?

Speed up and try to lose them stopping at the first gas station or store you see?
Keep driving normally and pull into the first gas station or store you see?
Pull into a populated area like a walmart parkinglot if you happen to see it?

Some thoughts:
Speeding up, while it might be dangerous if they give chase, does give you the chance of escape AND will get a policeman's attention if he is hiding somewhere looking for speeders.
Pulling into a store or place where other people are is no guarantee of saving your life. People have been followed to those places before and were killed and robbed nevertheless.
Driving normally won't tip them to your having seen them, so they probably won't try anything until they see you are going to stop. It would give you more time to think of something.

Your thoughts:

propellerhead · Post by **propellerhead** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:41 pm

Option 2 and 3 are really the same. That's the option I'd take.

nitrogen · Post by **nitrogen** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:42 pm

I've usually got a car navigator, so I can usually navigate as to not get into a dead end. I could probably use it to find the police station.

If I'm not sure if i'm being followed, I drive in a circle (4 turns in the same direction) If the person is still behind me, I know i'm being followed.

Now assuming that I don't have my GPS, and I am being followed, I'd drive to the nearest populated spot I could find: Gas station, mall, whatever. If something goes down, I want witnesses. i'd prefer to find a good defensible position, but beggers can't always be choosers.

I was in a similar situation many years ago, and I did the speeding thing, and actually attracted a police officer. It got me a speeding ticket, but the guy ran away. I think the police officer didn't believe me; he thought it was a "lame excuse" and got a nasty ticket. I'd probably avoid that if I could.

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:55 pm

If I think I'm being followed I make unplanned turns and typically cirle as nitrogen suggests. It will let you know real quick if you are being followed.

If you are being followed, going to a police station is a good bet if you can find one.

hi-power · Post by **hi-power** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:09 pm

I have thought I was being followed before and instead of turning down my street, passed it by and then whipped a U-ey. The following car didn't, so they either weren't following to begin with, or didn't want to push it any further.

I guess if it was a determined person following me, there'd have to be an end to it somehow. I know I wouldn't slow down and get beside him to ask what the problem was or get out of my truck in a parking lot.

I suppose I'd keep driving until a good opportunity to lose him came up like turning right at a light just in front of some traffic and then drive like Dale Jr. at Watkins Glen. I might get honked at for jumping out in front of someone, but I'd be out of their way in not time.

seamusTX · Post by **seamusTX** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 3:28 pm

I would not stop in any place where I could not see uniformed LEOs. You just don't know what the people in that car are going to do.

Other than police stations, look for all-night coffee shops (no joke) and truck weigh stations.

- Jim

nitrogen · Post by **nitrogen** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:17 pm

seamusTX wrote: Other than police stations, look for all-night coffee shops (no joke) and truck weigh stations.

- Jim

Are weigh stations run by state police in most states?

seamusTX · Post by **seamusTX** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 4:26 pm

nitrogen wrote:Are weigh stations run by state police in most states?

I don't know who runs them, but I've seen uniformed officers in them. In any case, if you're in trouble, they'll most likely have a police radio.

- Jim

stevie_d_64 · Post by **stevie_d_64** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 6:02 pm

The first option I don't think I'd be that lucky...And besides if I did get pulled over, Officer Friendly is not going to believe for one second that I was speeding to avoid what I percieved someone was following me...

So that goes bye bye...

The last two options would be more viable...And practical...

yerasimos · Post by **yerasimos** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:18 pm

Choices 2 and 3 seem like the safest and preferred choices, as many of you have noted. In both, I would be inclined to remain in the motor vehicle, engine running and in gear, and try to avoid getting blocked in somewhere or blindsided.

Here is another choice (a variation on 1) that could be a useful segue if an initial 2 or 3 does not present itself or is not successful:

You could drive normally for a while, do a few left and right turns, perhaps a complete or semi circle (four or more turns in the same direction), and see if they are still following you. If they are still following, and you have that cold tingly feeling down the spine, turn left at a red light (this is not a typo) when you see a relatively safe break in traffic, then distance yourself from them as fast as you can. Accelerate as fast as you can and do not let up.

If you see one or more of the occupants getting out while both vehicles (yours and theirs) are stopped and they are inappropriately focused upon you, the priority is to get your vehicle moving--forward, right, left or even (the obvious last choice) backward. Of course, the Mr Murphy factor is thugs, malandros, etc will not likely get out until they think they have you cornered or that you cannot or will not move your car. Yet still, it is up to you to expose their mistake for what it is, one way or another, with an unexpected escape or defending yourself as required.

My perspective is traffic laws take a back seat when you are in fear for your life, and a major traffic infraction fine is a lot cheaper than the 5-7 figure legal costs associated with using force, deadly or otherwise. Aside from extenuating circumstances, I prefer to comply with traffic laws and avoid the hassle of frequent, non-consensual encounters with LEOs. However, I have attempted to cultivate the mindset compatible with suspending the habit of strict adherence, if the situation requires such a temporary suspension.

And remember, the tactics outlined above can be used whether you are in an unfamiliar county, or an unfamilar country, handgun or not.

RKirby · Post by **RKirby** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:21 pm

Are weigh stations run by state police in most states?

Not all states are the same, but in Texas all roadside weigh stations and commercial vehicle inspection stations are operated by badge carryin', gun totin' DPS officers.

Border Patrol check stations are also another potential safe harbor. BP agents can't enforce state or local laws but the bad guys may not know that.

Doug.38PR · Post by **Doug.38PR** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:46 pm

BP agents can't enforce state or local laws but the bad guys may not know that.

Even so, they certainly aren't going to sit there twiddling their thumbs while a car load of goons are trying to kill you.

They would certainly give you protection and radio the local sheriff a description of the car (there may even be a way the sheriff can deputize the BP agents to pursue them) and come and take a statement from you.

I've never seen a weigh station on a state highway or farm/ranch road, only federal and interstate highways.
And even on federal highways, weigh stations are manned only at certain locations at certain times of the week when signs are flashing for trucks to stop

yerasimos · Post by **yerasimos** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:07 pm

A little reality check . . . at least for me.

When I first read Doug.38PR's original post, I did, in fact, notice that the scenario involved the actor forgetting to bring along a cellular phone. Like many of you, I had a plan for that scenario.

I just thought it was appropriate to emphasize the following . . .

1) If you are paying $40-90+ a month for cellular service, or just have a cheap prepaid phone, make sure you have it and keep it with you!
2) If you are really suspicious about someone following you, and there is no other easy option, and you can do so safely, dial 911 and try to get DPS (or other applicable agency) to flag both of you down and get a third opinion of what is happening.

I will admit to a predisposition toward taking care of business myself. That being said, for better or worse we live in a day of interdependence where everyone seems to get involved in everyone else's business, and we are required to at least look for or attempt to explore the more everyday options of seeking potential witnesses and dialing 911, before using . . . less conventional options.

Trope · Post by **Trope** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 9:51 pm

If you do get into a situation where you have to perform evasive maneuvers, try to consider comparative advantages relative to the pursuing vehicle. For example, in this scenario, they probably know the backroads better than you do, so stay on major roads to avoid getting lost or running into dead ends.

If you have a tall truck, and they have a low car, you might find driving over a curb to be useful (just don't get stuck). Conversely, you may have a speed or handling advantage over them, which could help you get away. Know your limits, though, and DO NOT CRASH.

I agree that traffic laws take a back seat when you're in fear for your life. Recognizing that paradigm shift (when normal rules no longer apply) is critical in surviving.

nitrogen · Post by **nitrogen** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:22 pm

I forgot to mention this in my last post:

this type of scenario is a PERFECT excuse to take a performance driving course at a place like Drivers Edge
http://www.thedriversedge.net/

A co-worker (who'se a streetracing fanatic) took one of their courses and hasn't shut up about it for weeks. (A lot like I did when I went to Front Signt)