What are the laws about tailgating?

Tailgating, or driving too closely behind another vehicle, is a dangerous and potentially deadly behavior on the roads of North Carolina. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol enforces a law that requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of them. This distance is known as a "safe and prudent following distance". Drivers should allow a distance of at least one car length for every 10 mph of speed. Drivers must not tailgate on the highway, even if they are attempting to pass another vehicle. It is illegal to drive too closely behind a car and, if found by law enforcement, the driver could be issued a ticket for a violation of North Carolina Tailgating Law. Tailgating is a danger to both the driver and anyone in the vehicle behind them. It can lead to rear-end collisions and other avoidable accidents. When tailgating, drivers are not able to anticipate potential hazards and react to them appropriately, thus increasing the risks of an accident. It is important that drivers in North Carolina maintain a safe and prudent following distance. This may mean slowing down and allowing more space between their vehicle and the one ahead of them. This will give drivers more time to react to an unexpected event in front of them, decreasing the likelihood of a car accident.

Related FAQs

What are the laws about headlights, taillights, and turn signals?
What are the laws about smoking and other drug use in a vehicle?
What are the laws about driving without a license?
What are the laws about tinted tail lights?
What are the laws about driving an unregistered or uninsured vehicle?
What are the laws about passing on the shoulder?
What are the laws about driving and texting?
What are the laws about automotive modifications?
What are the laws about following too closely (tailgating)?
What are the laws about tinting the windshield?

Related Blog Posts

Essential Automobile Law Terms: The Definitions You Need to Know - July 31, 2023
The Basics of Automobile Law: Everything You Need to Know - August 7, 2023
How to Read and Interpret Automobile Law Documents - August 14, 2023
Navigating Automobile Law: Understanding the Legal Process - August 21, 2023
Who Is Responsible For Automobile Damage: What You Need to Know - August 28, 2023