[driven]

I had already worked nearly 80 hours for the week when I was on my way home yesterday 5:30pm. I ran into heavy stopped traffic on an exit ramp. I remember looking at the mini-van in front of me as we sat there waiting for the traffic to move.

The next thing I know I had rolled into the bumper of the mini van. Apparently I fell asleep and the car rolled forward as my foot came off the brake.

There was no damage to either vehicle. The lady insisted on calling the police. (That's fine ...)

The cop showed up about 45 minutes later. I was totally honest and told him what happened. He was professional and courteous. He then cited me for "Following too close". I re-iterated what happened. I'm thinking I was cited with the wrong charge. Shouldn't I have gotten "failure to control vehicle" or something? How can you follow too close in stopped traffic? If I were 50 feet behind her the same thing would have happened because I'm sure I was dead asleep at the time I hit her.

I still feel like an idiot and I'm willing to take full responsibility for what I did, and I'm thankful it wasn't worse, but should I be concerned that I'm charged with the wrong offense?

Edit: I guess I should mention that I was (am) also suffering from a severe cold at the time, although I wasn't on any cold medication. I did only have 5 hours of sleep in the previous 72 hours. <-- Not an excuse, just trying to give you the picture. I know I shouldn't have been behind the wheel.

[Super Mario]

Pay the fine don't do the time.

[BRussell]

Good thing you weren't zipping around 285 when you fell asleep.

[Mastrap]

Be thankful that he cited you for a minor offence, pay whatever fine there is and put the incident behind you.

[jwoods]

Yeah, he probably cited you the least expensive fine he could give.

[driven]

Perhaps he was doing me a favor. He was more annoyed at the woman because she insisted on calling the police for a no-damage accident. I told him not to be annoyed because we wouldn't have been there if it weren't for me.

Yes ... I am glad I didn't fall asleep in traffic. Just five minutes before I was drowsy while doing 75 MPH on GA-400. In fact, I got off that exit so I could get some coffee so I could get home.

If nothing else, the impact woke me up.

Thanks again.

[hondo]

I am not sure where you were at (State wise) when you had your accident, however, the section or legal wording for following to closely can sometimes be contained within or have within it similar charges. An example where I live is the section for maintaining Assured Clear Distance Ahead (ACDA). Following to closely is one of the sections within it.

I was sitting at a red light this weak and a guy ran into me. He was sighted for ACDA.

Hope that helps.

hondo

[macaddict0001]

Yeah the cops aren't even supposed to come out if there are no injuries and the damages are under 1000 where I live.(I think) but nobody ever calls them.

[driven]

The lady called her husband and he insisted that she call the cops. I guess I would have done the same thing if some nutter ran into my wife.

Not angry at anyone ... even the stupid things. EXCEPT for myself. I'm so bloody angry at myself right now that I could spit. Before I didn't have time to sleep. Tonight I *can't* sleep. Drank beer, took xanix. Just can't do it. Too upset at my idiocy.

[iT4c0]

I think driving while you are tired or sleepy is considering as DUI. I am not so sure tho. I think you should just pay the fine and let it go.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by driven

The next thing I know I had rolled into the bumper of the mini van. Apparently I fell asleep and the car rolled forward as my foot came off the brake.

I hate automatics. (Though newer Mercedes have a function that will hold the brake until you actually hit the gas again.)

[macaddict0001]

It was on an exit ramp. So its not necessarily an automatic.

[chabig]

The number 1 cause of multi-car accidents is loss of separation. Since you actually made contact with the car in front of you, your separation was zero at the time of impact. Thus--following too close. QED

[driven]

This "exit ramp" is a flat road that's about a mile long. (And a mess due to construction) Yes, it was an automatic. I hate them too.


"Loss of separation"? Makes it sound like I crashed the space shuttle.

[macaddict0001]

Originally Posted by driven

This "exit ramp" is a flat road that's about a mile long. (And a mess due to construction) Yes, it was an automatic. I hate them too.


"Loss of separation"? Makes it sound like I crashed the space shuttle.

Oh ramp kind of implies a slope.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by iT4c0

I think driving while you are tired or sleepy is considering as DUI.

I want to see a link for that.

-t

[production_coordinator]

"following too close" is a gift from the police. Take it and put it behind you.

It could have been 1000 times worse. How about "reckless endangerment" or "failure to control vehicle" etc. etc.

[iranfromthezoo]

following to close is the norm in the southern states...its a minor offense and its good he gave it to you...it was actually believe it or not the right offense...at least here in MS. The rule is if you hit their back bumper (unless they pull out in front of you) you were too close to the vehicle...at least thats how the cop at the firehouse just said it...anyways its good he let you off with that...means he likes you...hopefully in a non brokeback way....

[UNTeMac]

In that situation, you wouldn't have even gotten a ticket if the woman hadn't insisted on calling the police. As far as I know, you're not obligated to stay at the scene if there are no injuries and you've provided your license and insurance to the other driver. I think I might've driven off once she had my info and I had hers.

[driven]

I'm not sure. I think in Georgia I am obligated to stay at the scene. I think leaving runs you to the charge of "leaving the scene of an accident" or worse "hit and run".

Either way I was wrong and prepared to take my licks.