You might be cruising down Highway 55 alongside the winding Boise River or navigating the busy streets of Idaho Falls during rush hour. All it takes is one moment, one other driver on the road acting inappropriately, to shatter the serenity or mundanity of your commute.
Brake checking, when you consider it purely in concept, might just seem like a fleeting moment of frustration. But intentionally slamming on your brakes in front of another driver–or being the driver behind someone who does that–is a real recipe for disaster. It leads to car accidents that can have serious consequences for everyone involved.
The Domino Effect of Brake Checking
Think about it: even if you’re maintaining a reasonable distance behind the vehicle in front of you as you both barrel down the I-15, if they suddenly and sharply decelerate out of nowhere, how much time do you have to really stop your vehicle?
And what if you’re admittedly not at least a car’s length behind them — that is to say, what if there’s almost no time or distance to react?
This is precisely the danger of a brake check. The sudden and unexpected nature of the action drastically reduces the other driver’s ability to stop or swerve to avoid a collision. It’s especially tricky on Idaho’s highways, where speed limits are often higher.
It also disrupts the natural flow of traffic, putting far more than the two drivers involved at risk. The domino effect of brake checking can lead to a pile-up if the people behind you are just as unprepared for the sudden shift.
There may be times when the temptation arises for a driver to brake-check someone. Maybe someone was tailgating you, and you felt the itch to give them a scare to get them off your back. But bear in mind that this is never just a harmless expression of annoyance. It’s an aggressive act that puts everyone around you in danger.
The high potential for serious injury and liability should outweigh any fleeting satisfaction you could derive from the gesture, which, in reality, would almost certainly turn to pain and horror for you, too.
Is Brake Checking Illegal in Idaho?
The short answer here is, unofficially, yes. You might not find a specific statute in the Idaho Code explicitly against brake checking, but several well-established laws certainly apply.
For instance, Idaho Code § 49-637 prohibits reckless driving, defined as operating a vehicle without due caution and at a speed or in a manner that endangers people or property. Intentionally slamming on your brakes could easily be interpreted as a violation of this law.
Furthermore, if the act leads to a car accident, charges like reckless driving or even aggravated assault could be considered depending on the severity and proven level of negligence. Idaho law emphasizes the responsibility of every driver to operate their vehicle safely and predictably, and brake checking directly contradicts this principle.
Avoid the Serious Costs of Brake Checking
Ultimately, you’re not the only one on the road. Every move you make has the potential to impact countless other people: the drivers themselves and, in the case of a serious accident, anyone who loves them or depends on them.
Don’t follow your baser impulses and turn what could have been a totally uneventful or even lovely day into a nightmare with far-reaching consequences.
And while you can’t always account for the aggressive impulses of others, you always have to try to account for them. Following the principles of defensive driving at all times may be your best assurance against brake checking if it ever happens to you.
Contact the Personal Injury Lawyers at Parker & McConkie Today
For more information, please contact an experienced personal injury lawyer at Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have 5 convenient locations in Utah, including Midvale, Salt Lake City, Ogden & Provo, UT. Clients can also visit our offices in Idaho Falls, ID & Rock Springs, WY.
We proudly serve Weber County, Utah County, Salt Lake County in Utah, Bonneville County in Idaho, Sweetwater County in Wyoming, and its surrounding areas:
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City Office
466 S. 500 E., Suite 100,
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
(801) 851-1202
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Midvale Office
7090 Union Park Ave, #160,
Midvale, UT 84047
(801) 845-0440
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Ogden Office
2510 S Washington Blvd, Suite 160,
Ogden, UT 84401
(385) 402-8187
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Provo Office
37 E Center St, Suite 300,
Provo, UT 84606
(801) 876-4107
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Rock Springs Office
531 N Front St,
Rock Springs, WY 82901
(307) 205-7400
Hours: 24/7
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers – Idaho Falls Office
2235 East 25th St. Suite #280,
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 418-0633
Hours: 24/7
