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I-41 tailgater crashes after driver brake-checks

Posted at 12:46 PM, Mar 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-15 18:35:06-04

A driver tailgating a car on I-41 in Little Chute, near exit 146, crashed after the car in front brake-checked at about 7 a.m. on March 10. 

Fox Valley Metro police said there were no injuries and are still working to identify the car in front.

Situations like this happen all the time, according to Wisconsin State Patrol.

"The number one thing we're seeing right now is people that are following other vehicles too closely," said State Patrol Trooper Jennifer Austin. "You have to remember that you have to maintain enough stopping distance, enough time to be able to react to what is going on in front of you."

Lystra Charnon of Green Bay said she agrees with letting people have their space.

"Take it easy," she said.

Some good advice coming from someone who dealt with difficult drivers this past weekend in Green Bay.

"Someone was braking abruptly, maybe they didn't know where they were going, and we got in a three car sandwich," she said. 

Situations like that, and the one near Little Chute, are happening all the time on roads in our area. If you see someone behind you that's a little too close for comfort, don't do anything to make the situation more aggressive like hitting your brakes, Austin said. Brake-checking is not encouraged, according to police.

"I like driving in the left lane, but if someone is on top of me, I just move over," said Bridget Busse of Green Bay. "I'd rather be safe than sorry."

State Patrol agrees; getting away from a dangerous situation is the best way to solve it. Trooper Austin also said if a driver is really worried, he or she could call police to report an aggressive driver.

Watch the full video here.