Crazy Driver! Is Brake Checking Illegal In Texas?
According to the Oxford Dictionary the definition of road rage is violent anger caused by the stress and frustration involved in driving a motor vehicle in difficult conditions. And just how much do we see that violent anger? All the time. There are videos on the internet of the mildest to the absolute worst case of road rage.
According to Texas.gov,
Approximately 80% of polled drivers express serious aggression, anger, or road rage at least once a year.
WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF ROAD RAGE?
Topdriver.com says that all of these actions exhibit road rage:
- yelling
- honking
- following the person with whom you are angry with
- purposely cutting off other cars
- initiating confrontation outside of the car
- speeding
- weaving
- intentionally ramming
- Blocking traffic or preventing drivers from changing lanes
- tailgating or brake checking
Now let's take a look at that last one tailgating/brake checking. Aside from all of the other examples of road rage, should this not be illegal? How many times have you been driving down the road, minding your business, and happened to follow the car in front of you too closely? Have you ever been brake checked?
I have. Literally, stare off into the distance daydreaming, and all of a sudden I get brake checked. Whoa! Sorry homie, I truly had no clue I was on your tail, my bad.
IS BRAKE-CHECKING A CAR BEHIND YOU ILLEGAL?
According to this TikToker attorney, the State of Texas has no specific laws that make brake checking illegal.
However, there's always a BUT, there are laws that prohibit reckless driving, which has a broad definition, and incidentally, you could be charged under that statute.
So maybe just don't do it? Check out what this TikToker has to say about it:
Check out this list of weapons it is illegal to own in Texas: