CAPE CORAL, Fla. -- Police are reminding drivers that following other drivers too closely is a traffic violation, but so is slamming on the brakes as a reaction to tailgaters.
Cape Coral Police say a driver should not follow another vehicle so closely that they can not stop in time if there is an emergency ahead of them. If you are following a vehicle too closely, you might not be able to see beyond the car in front of you.
Officers say these are the types of aggressive drivers that they like to stop.
But the driver that is being tailgated might feel anxiety and have an adverse reaction, getting mad at the driver behind them and becoming aggressive. Police warn drivers to not slam on your brakes to prove a point. It is also a traffic violation.
Here are the details of the rules of the road:
316.0895 Following too closely.—
(1) The 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.
(2) It is unlawful for the driver of any motor truck, motor truck drawing another vehicle, or vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer, when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district, to follow within 300 feet of another motor truck, motor truck drawing another vehicle, or vehicle towing another vehicle or trailer. The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed to prevent overtaking and passing nor shall the same apply upon any lane specially designated for use by motor trucks or other slow-moving vehicles.
(3) Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles as to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply to funeral processions.
(4) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation ($163.00)
