A woman on TikTok is going viral after explaining how a bizarre chapter in her dating life taught her a safety rule she now swears by in the event of a car accident. Robin (@therealdatingrobin), who mixes dating stories with current events on her page, says this tip came straight out of her own experience—and she wants others, especially women, to hear it. She posted the video on Thursday and framed it as a simple "PSA for anyone who drives." Her point is that the advice applies to everything from a minor tap in a parking lot to a more obvious fender bender, and it isn’t something most people think about. "If you drive a car," Robin wrote in the caption, "listen up." As of this writing, her clip has pulled in more than 30,100 views. What Was the Advice? Robin says that if you’re in any kind of car accident—even the smallest bump—you should never hand over your personal information, whether that’s your address, insurance details, or your phone number, without calling the police first. She adds that officers do show up for small fender benders, despite what people often assume. She then explained where the warning came from. Robin says she once encountered a guy who casually told her that if he spotted a woman he thought was cute, he would tap her bumper—just lightly enough to spark an exchange of information. "He told me this in a proud way," Robin said. "I thought it was a joke at first." But it wasn’t. "He literally will hit women’s cars to get their information," she said, repeating her warning to always involve the police, no matter how minor the crash seems. "There are some really, really scary people out there," she added. Do Police Respond to Minor Fender Benders? Unfortunately, police not showing up for minor fender benders is pretty common, according to BANA LAW. Departments tend to focus on emergencies and crashes with injuries, so they often leave the small stuff to drivers to sort out. That said, the rules aren’t the same everywhere, which is why Robin’s warning hit a nerve. Depending on where you live, you might be expected to file an online report or self-report later. Either way, you still need some record because insurance companies almost always ask for one when you later file a claim. If officers don’t show, your job is to document everything you can. Take photos of the cars, the road, the damage, and anything else that matters. And despite Robin’s advice, legal experts suggest getting the other driver’s name, license, and insurance details. If there are witnesses, get their info too. And then check whether your local department lets you file a report online, because that step can save you headaches later. There are still situations when calling the police is non-negotiable. If anyone is even slightly hurt, you need an officer on scene. The same goes for crashes that block traffic, involve a drunk or impaired driver, or cause major damage. In those cases, departments almost always respond. Robin’s point is that you should loop in the police before handing anything over, even for a minor bump. You never know who is on the other end of that exchange, and a quick call can protect you from someone who is trying to take advantage. Viewers Say Police Aren’t Always Helpful People who watched Robin’s clip were quick to poke holes in her advice, noting something law firms have also warned about. Police don’t show up for every minor crash, especially in bigger cities. "Not where I live, I’ve called the police, they said no, they will not respond to any collision where the vehicle is drivable, and there are no injuries," one woman explained. "Times have changed, the police are not responding to minor collisions," another person added. "In fact, in a lot of big cities, they will only respond if there are significant injuries. Or the cars are blocking the roadway." "The police do not respond to all accidents!!! And if they hit you in a parking lot, the police are DEFINITELY NOT going to come. Ask me how I know," a third commenter said. Others chimed in with ideas for how to avoid handing over personal details if you’re stuck in this situation. "You actually don’t have to give your license or phone number," one woman noted. "Just give them your insurance information and the insurance company’s phone number." "Can you just exchange insurance info and name without giving phone number and address?" someone else wondered. "This is why I have my PO box on my license," another pointed out. And a handful said Robin’s PSA sent their anxiety through the roof. "People can be so scary," one person wrote. "Like why." "Scary," someone else echoed. "It’s scary to be a girl in this world," another added. Motor1 has reached out to Robin through email. We'll update this if she responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
+53 others
