YDI for tailgating. If you couldn't stop in time, you were too close. Learn the laws of the road, you ignorant moron.

You WERE tailgating. You deserved that one.

OP - YDI, You were tailgating. If you hadn't been, you would've had time to avoid hitting her. Learn to drive. #81and anybody else citing the 2 second rule, also keep in mind that the 2 second rule is a BARE MINIMUM. More is better.

Why is everyone assuming he was tailgating? Have you ever approached a green light and someone was stopped? You don't expect someone to stop at a green light, so you maintain your speed until you're close enough to realize they're stopped and you stop quickly, hoping your breaks are freakin' fabulous enough to make you stop on time. It's not that easy when you're on a highway, driving 65+ and don't expect people to randomly stop in the middle of traffic. Maybe he was tailgating, maybe he wasn't, but you can't really jump to conclusions on this.

@28: Though I agree with the concept, saying there's "NO WAY" to hit someone if you follow the 2 second rule is getting a little carried away. Not to mention I learned it as the 3 second rule, for good measure. Do you really think if I slam on my brakes (btw it's BRAKE, BRAKES, and BRAKED, to those above who can't spell) in my lightweight roadster with 235/45/R17 W-rated summer tires with Brembo slotted rotors and Hawk HPS performance pads that you'll be able to stop in time if you're driving a ~4,000 pound minivan (or what have you) with a factory brake package and most likely H-rated tires, just so long as you're following the 2-second rule? I think not.

#56 is probably the only reasonable one here. everyone else is either to young to drive and think they actually know how because they read it somewhere, or are morons. Drive in New York or any other big city, it is IMPOSSIBLE to follow the car length for every 10 mph rule, IMPOSSIBLE. Learn how to really drive, that rule doesn't even matter if you actually look down the road to see what's happening, that way you know what's going on all around you and should know ahead of time how to react. Sure you obviously can't be so close to someone where you can't see their tires, but 1 or 2 lengths on the highway is enough, at least for us New Yorkers.

That's generally the way it works. You're supposed to leave a 2-3 second gap between you and the next car, so if they brake heavily, you can stop in time. You obviously didn't do this and hit the woman, so the cop gave you a ticket. You caused the accident, so yes, you do have to pay for her costs as well. This isn't an FML at all, you just suck at driving.

@87: He was tailgating. Period. No matter what he was "expecting" the car to do, the law is set such that you are expected to drive under the assumption that at any time, the car in front of you may come to a sudden stop. There's no arguing it, if he couldn't stop in time, he's an idiot and was tailgating. @89: I drive through downtown Cleveland every day, and while there's plenty of people like you who follow 1 or 2 car lengths, I manage just fine to stay at least 3-4 car lengths ahead. There's always the genius who thinks I'm leaving room for him to get ahead of me, but for the most part, it works just fine and I don't have to slam on my brakes nearly as often as all the morons ahead of me.

She shouldn't slam her brakes on a highway. Be lucky you didn't get into a huge chain crash! but yeah, FYL

OMG?!!?! could it have been that you ACTUALLY WERE TAILGATING??? Take responsibility for your own crap. Y.D.I.