Should this be considered a felony?

I live in Huntsville, Alabama; this afternoon I was driving home from Wal-mart and a man pulled up beside me on the highway at a light and started making sexual comments about me doing (very disgusting) things to him. I thought he was just a jerk and pulled away. He started following me, rapidly changing lanes so he could keep up with my car. At the next light he did the same thing. I turned off the highway to try to dodge him. He kept following me on the residential streets I turned onto. I had to run a red light and turn into a development to finally loose him. I tried to file a police report but the police told me that it was just misdemeanor harassment so they really couldn't do anything. If the guy had just made the comments and drove off, I wouldn't be this upset. He actually chased me! Who knows what this guy was capable of! The police basically treated me like I was overreacting and that it was just road rage. I'm still pretty scared about this, what if I run into him again?

I tried to ignore him but he still kept at it. My car has no air conditioning so I really can't shut the windows on a 90 degree Alabama day for too long without dying. Plus, I think this guy may live in my apartment complex. He and the vehicle looked pretty familiar.

I agree with everyone who said to gather info about the harasser while driving to a police station. You didn't "overreact" like someone else here said, you were frightened and didn't know how to react. The kind of activity he was engaging in is hostile and threatening and is never okay.

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Unless you live in a small town, the odds of running into him again are pretty small. If this should happen again, try to locate where the nearest Police Station is. Drive directly there. That should scare HIM.

As to felony vs. misdemeanor, the law is the law. Since no physical harm was done, it is hard to escalate this into a felony situation, sorry. If you continue to be stressed by this, please seek some type of counseling help.

Technically it is, because this man made gestures to you that are sexual in nature, in a way provoking you to do something to protect yourself. This is called provoking speeches and gestures. I know this from taking criminal justice courses. And provoking speeches and gestures is a crime. Make sure you have something to protect yourself with just in case you run into this guy again like spray or mace.

If there is a next time, drive directly to a police station and call them on your cell phone as you drive there and let them know that a stalker is chasing you. Perhaps the police will be able to catch him if he follows you to the station. I am sure the laws for stalking are more severe than sexual harassment.

It wouldn't have made any difference if it were a felony. He'd still be out there. However, I don't think you overreacted. That guy has a sexual problem he's visiting on other people who have no desire to be a part of. Next time, get a license tag number, if you can, or take his photo and drive to a police station.

Any time you are being followed by another car drive directly to the nearest police station.

If this person harrasses you again get his license plate number. Do NOT endanger yourself by speeding or running lights. Ignore these people. He got just the reaction he wanted to get from you.

If you run into him again, drive to the police station. It is a misdemeanor, shoot, half the male population would be in jail if it were a felony... but until someone gets hurt its going to stay a misdemeanor.

I think it sounds like a good idea to be prepared to defend yourself. If you know what i mean. If I understand what you said the police couldn't help you anyhow so be ready to defend yourself.

wow... did you make a report?? if it happens again contact a lawyer against the police dep. that's only if anything happens to you but still talk to a lawyer that's still sexual harassment

you were over-reacting

IGNORE people like that.

Roll your window up and turn radio up.

If you do not react, the guy would have stopped.

next time embellish the story. cops are lazy

BUY A GUN and if you do see him politely tell him what you'll shoot off of him if he speaks

If he follows you again, drive to the nearest police station. Let him follow you there.

I agree with those who said call police and head toward police station. If you don't know where that is, ask 911 operator to direct you or drive into a very full parking lot of a busy store and stay in locked, running car close to the doors of the store where people will see you.

This guy could have caused you to get into an accident trying to get away from him and I think the police should take this more seriously.

If you have a camera or camera phone, take a picture of the car and the driver next time. If you live in a state with license plate on front of car as well as rear, try to catch the plate number.

But, most of all, be careful while driving as you don't want to get into a wreck while trying to do any of this.

I would pursue the police report if you have description of car, license plate or physical description of man as you are probably not the first person this idiot has treated like this and he needs to get taught a lesson. This was sexual harrassment/stalking and not road rage. Call the police department directly (not through 911) and ask to speak to a supervisor regarding this if you intend to report it.