The actual distance depends on factors like weather conditions and speed, but the Highway Code recommends keeping at least 2 seconds behind the vehicle in front; 4 in wet weather. Why aren’t the cops enforcing it? Flag. Either rule may keep a driver from getting a tailgating ticket under normal circumstances. thank you for the column in the bellingham herald on tailgating. Call Us for a FREE Consultation: 888-883-5529. 75 MPH – Travelling at 110 Feet Per Second – Minimum Recommended Following Distance is 220 Feet (12 and 1/3 car lengths) Note: One car length equates to 18 feet. You are following too closely if you pass the mark before you finish counting. In rare instances, drivers can be sentenced to 15 days in jail for tailgating in NJ. New Jersey imposes a fine of $50 to $200 upon conviction for tailgating. So as long as you’re more than 1.5 seconds behind that vehicle you’re good, right? When an accident is associated with a tailgating ticket, it is even more imperative that the case be handled carefully. Tailgating is a common citation issued to drivers following an auto accident. Judges take a charge of tailgating seriously and do not look kindly on drivers who take those kinds of risks. In some cases, it may not be possible to win a dismissal of tailgating charges outright. ... That bastid is Tailgating so close to me they are up my ass like toilet paper. Albany, NY Office: 113 Great Oaks Blvd, Albany, NY 12203  |  Driving dangerously close to the vehicle in front of you as to not give the proper car lengths space to be able to stop in time. Tailgating is one of the most common security breaches. A suspended license is not listed as a penalty for tailgating. A two second following distance starts sounding like a risky minimum and that four second recommendation starts looking “reasonable and prudent.”. The Washington Driver Guide suggests that at speeds below 30 mph a following distance of two to three seconds might give you enough time to avoid an unexpected hazard, but the guide recommends a four second following distance. When I was a kid playing football on the vacant lot in our neighborhood we had a five-Mississippi rushing rule, so I use Mississsippi’s, but if you prefer you can count one-thousand-one, one-thousand-two, and so on. Also, the widespread use of crumple zones in cars means even a low-speed collision can result in a costly insurance claim. Yes, tailgating is a careless driving offence, and you could land yourself a fine of up to £200 or points on your license if you're caught by the police. The exact defense will depend on the unique circumstances of the case. When an accident is associated with a tailgating ticket, it is even more imperative that the case be handled carefully. Sounds like nobody has ever driven on I-5. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on YouTube (Opens in new window). And if you, as a safe driver, stay further behind the person in front of you, oftentimes the person driving too close behind you will whip around you to fill in the space in front of you, as if to admonish you for leaving too much space. That time is an average. Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a6083dc89621bcdd4536f3c727bf514d" );document.getElementById("c91eb57bb1").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Notify me of follow-up comments by email. A: I hear variations of this question a lot. To find out how far you should be from the vehicle in front read our stopping distances guide. Even if the ticket is reduced via a plea bargain, the conviction could still potentially be used against the driver. When you’re in a good mood, you’ve had plenty of sleep, and you’re focused on your driving your reaction time will be faster than if you’re grumpy, tired, stressed, and barely paying attention. The content of this site is informational in nature and is not intended as legal advice. You Can't Change Lanes in an Intersection, Or Can You? New Jersey Office: 200 Broadacres Dr Suite #325, Bloomfield, NJ 07003 Challenging one’s tailgating ticket in NJ requires drivers to pay $33 in court costs. NYC Office: 40 Wall St Suite 3602, New York, NY 10005 Rear-end crashes can cause serious neck injuries (or worse) to the driver and/or passenger(s) in the lead vehicle. Get a Tailgating mug for your cat Nathalie. 39:4-89), By: Adam H. Rosenblum Esq. According to the NHTSA, more youthful drivers reported less risk involved while they were tailgating another vehicle. The dictionary defines an epidemic as “a widespread occurrence of an infectious disease in a community at a particular time.” I don’t think it’s infectious, but tailgating is a widespread occurrence happening right now in our community, so if two out of three is still a win, then yes, it’s an epidemic. Tailgating is a common citation issued to drivers following an auto accident. Of course, even if the driver has not committed a “willful violation,” the number of points imposed as a result of the conviction can easily put a driver over the 12-point threshold for an automatic suspension. Due to the sequential parking by rows in the facility, patrons wishing to tailgate may do so, in the area directly behind their vehicle, provided that their tailgating does not interrupt the flow of traffic. When drivers were asked about safe following distances, responses included “I don’t know” and “ten feet.” We tend to think of tailgaters as aggressive drivers, but most of the time they’re unaware; equally dangerous but without the hostile motive. This disconnect shows that many drivers are not aware of what tailgating really entails. This footage shows why you should never follow another vehicle too closely. From breakfast sandwiches to hearty dips to one-bite salad wedges, these fun football foods offer something for everyone. Get recipes, including dips, chili, burgers, and easy desserts. You can also open the tailgate using the key fob. Is tailgating considered careless driving? There are many ways to defend against a tailgating ticket in New Jersey. Thank you for writing this as it as directed me to Washington’s Driver guide and their four second rule. Find all the delicious recipes you need for your tailgating feast. However, it is possible for one to have their license revoked under 39:5-31. Why aren’t the cops enforcing it? Tailgating is also permitted on the medians that separate the parking lots from the roadways. In common terms, tailgating is careless behavior. It is essential that you retain an attorney if you or someone you love has been ticketed for tailgating or any other serious traffic offense in New Jersey. There is no hard-and-fast rule as to how close is too close. Here’s the scary part: the deputy I interviewed is able to keep busy only stopping drivers that are following at less than one second behind another driver. It seems like it’s happening all the time. It seems like it’s happening all the time. For example, in La Mandri v. Carr, two cars collided on a rainy day on the Garden State Parkway. It starts out innocently – an employee opening a door and holding it open for others, visitors without badges, or the passive acceptance of a uniformed worker.The problem with these lax situations is that they open your building to undocumented and unauthorized entry by individuals who could intend harm to your property and occupants. ... and most grocery stores carry it near the steak and BBQ sauces. The cookout-inspired food mashup is as perfect served as a fun, grilled snack for guests (especially during tailgating season) as it is an easy, throw-together meal to use up leftovers from a weekend get-together. Following Too Closely (Tailgating) in New Jersey (N.J.S.A. Thus, getting convicted for tailgating can potentially raise premiums. There's A Law For That. Legally speaking, tailgating is more serious than just careless driving. The measure of ‘safe distance’ depends on the speed at which you are travelling, visibility and other road conditions. Tailgating is permitted from the time the lots open and up to two (2) hours following Dallas Cowboys or college football games. If moving to the right is not possible, simply maintain a steady speed—do not speed up or slow down. , two cars collided on a rainy day on the Garden State Parkway. Following a vehicle too closely limits the amount of time a driver has to slow down when the vehicle in front slows down. By defining following too closely as “more closely than is reasonable and prudent,” much of what is considered tailgating is left to the discretion of the officer. The tradition of tailgating around SEC football stadiums on Saturday mornings has blossomed from something that used to seem genteel to something that does seem booming. In other words, the judge feels the driver is deliberately breaking the law for some reason. See tailgating diagram. How to Respond to a Yellow Light That Flashes You. Tailgating from the comfort of your own RV is a win for you and your guests. 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