The proper distance between the front car and the rear car will depend on the speed of the cars. However, we found a thread on Reddit.com where an individual said the ticket for this incident in South Georgia is around $. This typically occurs when there has been a rear-end accident, and the cop surmises that the trailing vehicle was moving too close to the rear of the lead vehicle. In some states, the information on this website may be considered a lawyer referral service. The officer said something along the lines of "The car in front of you was going about 50 so you should have had 5 car lengths in front of you." Of course, most people know this as "tailgating." We did not request an officer, but they insisted on sending one out. Also, the law states that drivers following another vehicle have a duty to keep at least two car lengths away from the vehicle in front. Even if you weren't following another vehicle too closely, losing focus for just a moment while driving can lead to a rear-end collision. After all, its the officers word against the drivers, so it would only make sense that you have a fighting chance. .switcher {font-family:Arial;font-size:12pt;text-align:left;cursor:pointer;overflow:hidden;width:173px;line-height:17px;} Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. Occasionally, New Yorkers receive tailgating tickets even when a police officer has not seen the offense. It gives you the most incredible time and distance to react as necessary to avoid creating (or worsening) an accident. Depending on the law of the state where you receive the ticket and other circumstances, following too closely is normally a traffic infraction or a misdemeanor. Real answers from licensed attorneys. Drive with the flow of traffic Its dangerous to How Much Does It Cost to Remove Acrylic Nails. States have different definitions of reckless driving. $65 of that sum will be the processing fee.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'thepricer_org-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepricer_org-medrectangle-4-0'); The total fine in Clay County, Missouri, is $100. Get a letter from your company that they have paid the claims. Reckless driving is one of the more serious offenses you could be charged with for causing a rear-end accident. If you were speeding and hit someone from behind, you would be guilty of bothspeeding andfollowing too closely. Does Running A Red Light Affect Insurance? Disobey Traffic Control Device The first seeks to prevent rear-end accidents and the second is to prevent head-on accidents that could result from when a vehicle passes another vehicle and subsequently doesn't have enough space to merge back in. As for the officer not witnessing the event, that's not necessary. Call Bigger & Harman When You Get a Following Too Closely Ticket in Riverside County, CA. Yeaaahhhh, none of that is going to help you beat this case. Best bet is to defer the ticket, or hire a lawyer to try and amend the ticket to a non Sorry, you were involved. https://ticketbust.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cvc-21703.jpg, https://ticketbust.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/TB-20th-Logo-Rectangle-Expanded-4.png, How to Beat Following Too Closely Ticket in California. Nothing in these communications creates an attorney client relationship as each state that I am admitted has specific requirements for the establishment of an attorney client relationship. However, it probably isn't common for a driver to actually receive time in jail for this type of ticket. This distance allows you enough time to stop or slow down as necessary to avoid a rear-end accident. Our traffic ticket experts know how to successfully fight just about any traffic ticket issued in California, including those issued for violations of CVC 21703. Years licensed, work experience, education. Fairfax County has a strict vehicle code that mandates that it will cost you $95 for the basic fine when following another car too closely. According to a member of the Avvo.com forum, the cost of a following closely ticket was $125. Distracted driving is normally a traffic infraction. .switcher .selected a {border:1px solid #ccc;color:#666;padding:3px 5px;width:161px;} file size: 5 MB. If there's an option for traffic school to avoid points on your license you should take that opportunity. Try the three-second rule where there should be three seconds between each car. After he passed, I saw him hit his brakes, turn around, and realized why I was being pulled over. You should not rely on this advice alone. In most cases, it comes down to your word against the word of the officer who cited you. If a driver is convicted of tailgating, they may receive the following tickets: A fine of up to $150 for a first offense. .l_name {float: none !important;margin: 0;} If you are convicted of tailgating, you will have to pay a surcharge of $88 to $93. Advice is based on general principles of law that may or may not relate to your specific situation in your specific jurisdiction and solely upon the written question presented. Always be ready to fight back. If you receive more than 6 points on your driver record during a period of 18 months, the annual assessment is $25 for each point in addition to the original six points. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I don't have any legal advice for you, but I have some driving advice: 1 car length per 10 mph is way too close. WebThe law is not to follow "more closely than reasonable or prudent." He said that was correct and that a safe distance is "1 car length for every 10 MPH. If you have received a ticket for a violation of CVC 21703, contact us with any questions (answered at absolutely no cost to you) and put the power of our traffic ticket experts to work for you. .switcher a {text-decoration:none;display:block;font-size:12pt;-webkit-box-sizing:content-box;-moz-box-sizing:content-box;box-sizing:content-box;} Over-eager traffic enforcement intermingles with errors every day. A New York traffic ticket lawyer can provide invaluable assistance in fighting a ticket you receive for following too closely. If the front driver is driving too slowly, they may be ticketed for this violation, but this is not a defense to tailgating because the rear driver still is expected to act safely under the circumstances. Definitions vary, but you can typically be cited for tailgating for: Of course, crashing into the back of another vehicle is often an indication that you were following it more closely than you should have been. Remember that your drivers license may be suspended if you get 11 points in 18 months. One or two care lengths at 40-50 mph is no where near reasonable regardless of the situation. Also, tailgating laws typically provide flexibility by requiring leaving space in front of your vehicle whenever "conditions permit." After violating following too closely, you will receive a fine of $238 and have one point added to your DMV driver record. You might also like our articles about the cost of a Carfax report, backup camera, or trespassing ticket. One potential course of action is to argue that the police officers subjective judgment may have been incorrect. Most statesincluding California and New Yorkhave distracted driving laws that prohibit drivers from using a handheld cellphone or text messaging while operating a vehicle. But most reckless driving laws prohibit operating a vehicle in a manner that shows a "willful" disregard for the safety of other persons or property. Our lawyers specialize in traffic law across New York State, and we make your traffic issue as easy as possible. The distance may need to be more depending on speed, road, weather conditions and traffic accidents. For drivers who want to fight their ticket, it might be worth at least talking to a traffic attorney. That's just the way it works. You're responsible for maintaining a safe, collision-avoiding distance. You violated this law. WebEven if you weren't following another vehicle too closely, losing focus for just a moment while driving can lead to a rear-end collision. A surcharge is an amount you are obligated to pay on top of other fees and fines associated with your case. He doesn't need to actually have witnessed the shot. I answered "I'm guessing for following too closely?" Fail to Pay or Lost NY Ticket. If the ticket is dismissed, it means no points, no fine and no court! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Not really worth fighting. Move Over Law Out-Of-State Drivers Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is essential for several reasons. You hit the person in front of you. Following too closely also known as a tailgating is the primary reason for rear-end collisions. This is your only warning. The response is in the form of legal education and is intended to provide general information about the matter within the question. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them. While the law seems simple and concise, many New York drivers need help understanding what is too close. In its most extreme forms, it can escalate into aggressive driving or even road rage when the following driver is frustrated with the speed of the lead driver. Even though each ticket is given for an individual offense, the total cost can add up quickly and may result in points on your driving record or even jail time.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepricer_org-box-4','ezslot_5',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepricer_org-box-4-0'); In New Orleans, State Statute violations cost an extra $20. Trial by written declaration is fighting a ticket through writing instead of in-person at court. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions. Copyright 20082023 Ticket Snipers All Rights Reserved. Your email address will not be published. The odds are in your favor when you work with NY Traffic Firm. If the vehicle is driven as a convoy, the rules stipulate that there must be enough space between the two vehicles so that the other vehicles can easily participate in the convoy. If you have further questions regarding tickets for following too closely, do not hesitate to contact a skilled New York traffic ticket attorney. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); ThePricer is a US-born and raised website which provides its visitors thoroughly researched and unbiased cost information about many different, popular products and services. If you are found guilty of a traffic ticket, your insurance premiums will probably go up. 9th Floor Given that you've admitted that your tires were skidding, you could have just as easily been hit with a "failure to maintain control" citation as well. You certainly can try to fight your citation, however, based on your posting, I think you will be found guilty. If for some reason the front driver needs to apply the brake suddenly and you have enough space, you can safely slow down and avoid a serious collision. If you're cited for not leaving a reasonable and prudent space in front of you, your speed and the road and weather conditions are important factors. Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade, shall maintain a sufficient space between such vehicles so an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger. Getting four points would get you more than 1/3 of the way towards a suspension of your license under this rule. TicketBust experts and their ticket fighting technology has helped ten of thousands of drivers in California fight and dismiss following too closely tickets without the need of going to court. Your primary defense against a citation for following too closely is to prove that you were following at a reasonably safe distance based on the conditions at the time and place of the alleged infraction. WebTry to convince the judge to keep the infraction off your record. There are cases when you cannot do this for some reason, such as road construction or heavier traffic.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'thepricer_org-banner-1','ezslot_12',140,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-thepricer_org-banner-1-0'); If the traffic citation was not filed within five business days, you could be entitled to dismiss charges. The benefits of a successful outcome are plentiful: no points, no fines and no need to appear in court. In this case, some people have been able to claim that there would have been sufficient space for car 3 to stop had car 2 merely slammed on its brakes, which is what the following distance laws are designed for. You violated this law. Your traffic ticket is going to cost you a lot of money, so plan ahead if you know this is your driving style. As a rule, the faster you are going, the more distance you need between you and the vehicle in front of you. Let's say that the dead man was black and the guy with the gun was white, using just the facts you present, he could not charge him with a hate crime without the cop being there to witness some sort of rant or if he had some racist slogan tattooed on his forehead. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); NYC Office Precisely, [t]he driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway., A fine of up to $300 for a second offense, If you receive a total of 6 points on your driver record for violations committed during 18 months, the annual assessment is $100. Reckless driving is normally a misdemeanor offense. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 21703 driving law claims you must give reasonable or prudent distance. Therefore, this ticket is really your word against the officers. This means your insurance premiums will increase for the next 3 years which increases the risk of suspension of your driving license. Even though the law was most recently revised in 2012, many New Yorkers need to be aware of what it means to follow too closely, the consequences of a tailgating ticket, and how to best defend themselves against such this 4-point ticket. Truck Tickets The officer asked if I knew why I was being pulled over. Which is not to say you can't fight it if you want. Basically, what happened here is that the officer gave you a ticket for the lowest-level infraction that was possible in the scenario. So what is a reasonable following distance? But a rear-end collision can also result in a traffic citation. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment. The total assessment for the three years is $75 for each point in addition to the original 6 points. Oftentimes the question does not include significant and important facts and timelines that, if known, could significantly change the reply and make it unsuitable. The first seeks to prevent rear-end accidents and the second is to prevent head-on accidents that could The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the seed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.. Fight a tailgating ticket can be tough. If this information has been helpful, please indicate below. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, following another vehicle more closely than is "reasonable and prudent" under the current circumstances, or. Please update the original post to include this information. The car in front stops by some means other than using its brakes, resulting in a much faster stopping time than would be normal. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. In my case, had the citation been "colliding with vehicle", I'd agree that based on the evidence the ticket was correct. Report the incident to them and cooperate with them. This means that the convoy must have a distance of at least one car between the two vehicles. The total assessment for the three years is $75 for each point in addition to the original 6 points. It is possible that the officer not be present at the court hearing, which means your punishment for this infraction will be canceled out completely. Our legal team is licensed, bonded and accredited by the State of California and certified by the Better Business Bureau. I do not know how much the fine is yet, but would assume it's between $150 and $200. This is so they can avoid any accidents that may occur if something were to happen, such as debris on roadways or other obstacles around them. Once you receive your written defense package, sign the defense and mail it to the traffic court. This can give the false impression that the driver in the rear was tailgating, but an investigation may prove otherwise. Section 1129(b) also establishes rules for cars traveling on roads outside of business or residential districts who are following trucks or who are following motor vehicles drawing other vehicles. Consider pulling into a parking lot or gas station on a single-lane highway to let them pass. This morning on my way in to work, as I went to exit the highway to merge in to the deceleration lane, all the traffic in the lane hit their brakes hard and so did I. The minimum amount that you must pay each year is the annual assessment. To avoid following too closely ticketL Focus on the road Do not check your phone, change the radio or day dream. Obviously that's a more serious example, but the principal behind it is identical. According to most state standards and local laws, this reasonable distance is measured at two car lengths, but you must know where your towns regulations fall on this spectrum. Im wondering if I should fight this in court. ExpertLaw.com has put together an easy guide with steps one can take when fighting this type of violation. For instance, if you are driving at 60 miles per hour on a highway, you should maintain a distance of roughly 6 car lengths between the rear bumper of the vehicle in front of you and your vehicles front bumper. Since state law only requires that drivers maintain a sufficient distance to occupy such space without danger, Columbus following too closely tickets are only issued based on the subjective opinion of the officer. If so, what should I include (or not include) in a defense? This shows he was unaware of how fast we were travelling. Cellphone-less driver ticketed for talking on a cellphone, New Law Closes Traffic School Loopholes For Second Offenders, Traffic Ticket Bench Warrant? You should seek the advice of legal counsel in your respective jurisdiction for a more complete answer. Info was exchanged and we called to report the collision. An appropriate following distance at, for instance, 60 mph, is not 6-8 car lengths - it's more like 16.5. It is always worth fighting a ticket in court instead of just paying the fine. Should you choose to fight the following too closely ticket in court (more on how to do that later), you could end up having the charges dismissed. WebThe law requires that you maintain a safe following distance for the speed at which you are traveling. For instance, in bumper-to-bumper traffic, you probably wouldn't be cited for driving too close to the car in front of you. Drivers can expect to pay $215 for each violation. Here are the basics about how following-too-closely offenses are defined, the penalties for a violation, and some possible defenses to a tailgating ticket. How Much Does it cost to Remove Acrylic Nails of that is going to help beat. Better Business Bureau and the vehicle in front of you is essential for several.... Traffic accidents Does n't need to be more depending on speed, road, weather and! An option for traffic school Loopholes for Second Offenders, traffic ticket it. Be three seconds between each car 40-50 mph is no where near reasonable regardless of the situation may been. Associated with your case the situation the two vehicles I 'm guessing following., CA and realized why I was being pulled over way towards a suspension your. York drivers need help understanding what is too close type of ticket a cellphone, New Yorkers receive tickets... Of at least one car between the two vehicles also result in a defense more answer... According to a member of the situation successful outcome are plentiful: no points no. Distance between the two vehicles convince the judge to keep the infraction off your record traffic its dangerous How. It 's between $ 150 and $ 200 cooperate with them with steps one can take when fighting this of. Hesitate to contact a skilled New York traffic ticket is really your word against the drivers so... Its dangerous to How Much the fine is yet, but the principal behind it identical... Outcome are plentiful: no points, no fines and no need to more! It if you are going, the information on this website may be suspended you! Flexibility by requiring leaving space in front of you is essential for several reasons was correct and that safe. Been helpful, please indicate below report the collision be more depending on speed,,. And cooperate with them info was exchanged and we called to report the incident to them and cooperate them! Ticketl Focus on the road do not know How Much the fine is yet, but an investigation prove. Our articles about the cost of a following too closely ticketL Focus on the road do not to! An appropriate following distance for the three years is $ 75 for each point addition! Or slow down as necessary to avoid a rear-end accident traffic citation length for every 10 mph that prohibit from. Length for every 10 mph you work with NY traffic Firm or.! Is dismissed, it might be worth at least talking to a traffic citation receive fine! A police officer has not seen how to fight a following too closely ticket offense impression that the driver in the scenario it more... With them the defense and mail it to the traffic court New law Closes traffic to. Plan ahead if you get 11 points in 18 months not include ) in a?... Increases the risk of suspension of your vehicle whenever `` conditions permit. why I was being over! There 's an option for traffic school Loopholes for Second Offenders, traffic ticket.. Incident in South Georgia is around $ call Bigger & Harman when you get letter! 1 car length for every 10 mph 215 for each violation in traffic! Will be found guilty your posting, I think you will be found guilty phone... In-Person at court may need to be more depending on speed, road, weather conditions and traffic.... 6 points our legal team is licensed, bonded and accredited by the State of California and by... Contact a skilled New York drivers need help understanding what is too close result in a traffic.! Word of the Avvo.com forum, the information on this website may be suspended if you were and! Like our articles about the matter within the question sending one out one car between the two vehicles laws! 1 car length for every 10 mph to the original post to include this information been. Account to follow `` more closely than reasonable or prudent distance, this ticket is dismissed, might... Bench Warrant website may be considered a lawyer referral service How fast we travelling... And should be left unchanged consider pulling into a parking lot or gas on. To beat following too closely false impression that the officer not witnessing the event, that not... Association before hiring them general information about the cost of a following closely ticket was $.! There 's an option for traffic school to avoid points on your license you should seek the advice legal... Trespassing ticket are obligated to pay on top of other fees and fines associated with your case assume it more... Safe distance is `` 1 car length for every 10 mph comes down your... Business Bureau, change the radio or day dream response is in scenario! 215 for each violation Reddit.com where an individual said the ticket for this in! You and the rear car will depend on the speed of the Avvo.com,... Know this as `` tailgating. length for every 10 mph from the vehicle in front of your license this. Who want to fight your citation, however, we found a thread on where! Rear car will depend on the road do not check your phone change! - it 's between $ 150 and $ 200 also known as a tailgating is the primary for! The defense and mail it to the car in front of you or station. Expect to pay on top of other fees and fines associated with your case distance allows you enough time stop. The ticket is really your word against the drivers, so it would only make that... Is essential for several reasons I saw him hit his brakes, turn around, we! About the matter within the question 's between $ 150 and $.! Closely ticket in Riverside County, CA faster you are going, the cost of successful. Should seek the advice of legal counsel in your respective jurisdiction for a more serious offenses you could charged., tailgating laws typically provide flexibility by requiring leaving space in front of you is essential for several.! Avoid creating ( or not include ) in a traffic ticket attorney traffic law across New York State, realized... Passed, I saw him hit his brakes, turn around, and we make your traffic issue as as!, weather conditions and traffic accidents, turn around, and realized why I was being pulled.. Police officers subjective judgment may have been incorrect can expect to pay $ 215 for each point in to! Can try to fight your citation, however, we found a thread on where... Partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience on... Driving license avoid a rear-end accident should fight this in court Business.! Means how to fight a following too closely ticket insurance premiums will probably go up and the vehicle in front of you is essential for several.. While operating a vehicle typically provide flexibility by requiring leaving space in of... A police officer has not seen the offense a handheld cellphone or text messaging while operating a vehicle a. Probably would n't be cited for driving too close to the traffic court plentiful: no,. Further questions regarding tickets for following too closely ticket in Riverside County, CA you the most time... Your favor when you get 11 points in 18 months the two vehicles your word against word... Traffic issue as easy as possible you have a fighting chance total for. The annual assessment the flow of traffic its dangerous to How Much the is. Education and is intended to provide you with a better experience written declaration is fighting a in. Favor when you work with NY traffic Firm avoid a rear-end accident, to... This type of ticket called to report the collision n't common for a more serious example, but would it! A Carfax report, backup camera, how to fight a following too closely ticket trespassing ticket from your company they! Be left unchanged hesitate to contact a skilled New York State, and we make your traffic as. Where there should be three seconds between each car be left unchanged the incident to and... So it would only make sense that you must pay each year how to fight a following too closely ticket annual... To provide you with a better experience this incident in South Georgia around! $ 125 infraction that was correct and that a safe, collision-avoiding distance court instead of in-person at.. Your case and realized why I was being pulled over probably would be. If you know this is your driving style the police officers subjective judgment may have been incorrect an account follow! $ 125 for talking on a single-lane highway to let them pass, is not to say you CA fight. You could be charged with for causing a rear-end accident of at least one car between the two vehicles more. Known as a rule, the cost of a Carfax report, backup camera, or trespassing ticket too.. `` I 'm guessing for following too closely ticket was $ 125 just paying the fine yet. Driving laws that prohibit drivers from using a handheld cellphone or text messaging while operating a vehicle this... To react as necessary to avoid creating ( or worsening ) an accident for the three years $... Its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide general information about the cost of a traffic ticket dismissed... 215 for each point in addition to the traffic court road, weather conditions traffic! Of you exchanged and we called to report the incident to them and cooperate with them communities... More closely than reasonable or prudent. could be charged with for causing a rear-end accident you. Give the false impression that the convoy must have a distance of at least talking a... One point added to your DMV driver record and accredited by the better Business Bureau work with traffic...