What are the laws about following too closely (tailgating)?

In New York, drivers are expected to leave a safe distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them. This distance is called “following too closely” or “tailgating” and is illegal. It is the responsibility of the driver to make sure that they leave a safe distance, regardless of the speed of traffic. If a driver fails to leave a safe distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them they may be cited and fined by law enforcement. In New York, a driver who is tailgating may be issued a ticket for violating section 1129 of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law. This law states that a driver should leave a distance of at least one car length for every 10 mph, up to a maximum of six car lengths, between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them. In addition, drivers may be cited for reckless driving if they are tailgating another vehicle. According to section 1212 of the New York Vehicle and Traffic Law, reckless driving is defined as “driving or using any motor vehicle, motorcycle, or any other vehicle in a manner which unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public highway, or unreasonably endangers users of the public highway”. A ticket for reckless driving carries a fine of up to $300 and possible jail time of up to 15 days. Drivers should always be aware of their speed and the distance between their vehicle and the vehicles around them to ensure that they are following the laws of New York. It is important to remember to leave a safe distance between vehicles to prevent accidents caused by tailgating.

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What are the laws about following too closely (tailgating)?

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