This Is Why You Shouldn’t Rubber Neck While Driving

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A lot of drivers rubber neck on the road when they see a bad accident or even a cop sitting on the shoulder. While this might seem natural or harmless, the reality is rubber necking can lead to serious accidents. This is perfectly displayed in dashcam footage from Arkansas State Police, which we’ve shared.

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Three ASP cruisers are sitting on the shoulder of a highway in Sweet Home, their emergency lights active. The troopers themselves are outside the cars, talking about wrapping up a scene with a disabled vehicle as the tow truck arrives to haul it away.

Just as the troopers start walking back to their vehicles, the screeching of tires signals an out-of-control truck approaching. That’s followed by the actual ride, a plume of tire smoke trailing it. That driver really hit the brakes in a panic, but by doing so called a whole heap of attention to himself.

Our camera car trooper remarks just before pulling away, “We gonna have a conversation.” Uh oh.

That driver already knew he was busted as soon as he saw the emergency lights. The guy pulled over so fast, the trooper overshot him and had to pull onto the shoulder ahead of the pickup.

When the trooper asks the guy what happened, he immediately blames his brakes, saying the rotors are warped and the pads are worn. Telling a cop your lack of maintaining your vehicle to the point it puts other motorists in peril is a bold strategy, but this guy leans into it.

Apparently he believes that’s a more defensible decision than admitting he was speeding and had to slam on the brakes when everyone in front of him slowed down, or saying he was distracted. What’s more likely is he was rubber necking, as many do when they see cops and/or crashes, failing to see the car in front of him was stopping until it was almost too late.

We could discuss all day long why people panic when they see cops or a crash on the side of the road, but they do. And that leads to rubber necking, which can then trigger another accident. Don’t rubber neck. Instead, keep your attention on the road or you might have to have a conversation with a cop you won’t like.

Image via Arkansas Police Activity/YouTube

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