How close does a car have to be to be tailgating the car ahead of them?

Jane

Per Wisconsin law
Tailgating

Following too closely behind another motorist, or tailgating, is an aggressive driving behavior. You could be ticketed for tailgating. Worse, you could cause a crash, and end up hurting yourself and wrecking your car in the process.

Tailgating is a common cause for traffic crashes. So keep these thoughts in mind:

* As lovely as you may think your vehicle is, the driver in front of you doesn't care to have it fill up his or her entire view in the rear view mirror.
* Tailgating doesn't make the person in front of you drive any faster, and may just get them irritated with you.
* If you must get ahead of the vehicle in front of you, maintain a proper distance and wait for a safe time in which to pass.

Wisconsin law is clear on tailgating:

* "The operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway."

It's all about being able to stop your car in time in case the vehicle in front of you suddenly hits the brakes. Here are some tips:

* Allow no less than 2 seconds between vehicles during the daytime.
* Allow more leeway for different conditions: 3 seconds at night, and 4 seconds during inclement weather such as during rain, snow, or ice.
* Be especially cautious when approaching stop lights, intersections, and when changing lanes.
* Anticipate potentially hazardous situations that could cause the driver in front of you to stop suddenly.

And if you happen to be the one BEING tailgated, you can head off aggressive driving behavior by allowing sufficient space in front of you so that an overtaking vehicle can enter and occupy that space without danger.

So it seems up to the cop what he thinks it is,

Dimo J

Tailgating, also known as following too close, would be a violation of CVC 21703:

California Vehicle Code 21703
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 vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.

Merriam-Webster cites the usage of the word tailgating to mean:

Main Entry: tailgate
1 : to drive dangerously close behind another vehicle

"More closely than is reasonable and prudent" is dangerously close.
Dangerously close is "more closely than is reasonable and prudent."

"Following too close" and "Tailgating" are synonymous -- no real difference.

The "two second rule" is not a part of the vehicle code. It is a recomendation for safe driving. Following closer than 2 seconds is not necessarily unreasonable nor imprudent. But it could be, depending on road conditions.

graywolf

anything less than 20 feet for every 10 mph is tailgating

alykate

The thing you need to remember about driving behind someone is that if they brake quickly and you run into them, then you are liable to pay for their damages. This is enough of a reason for me not to tailgate anyone. In Australia the law states 3 second gaps between cars.

gen patton

well, it depends on the situation, and your reaction time. if your driving through town at 25 and 10 ft. off the car in front and a person steps from between cars, he hits the break, and you're the loser. the rule of thumb is 3 times your speed in feet. (if you're able)

Texas Underdog

Tailgating is one of the most common causes of auto accidents.

The general rule used to be a gap between the two cars of 1 car length for every 10 miles per hour that you were going. For example, you were going 50 MPH, then there should be at least 5 car lengths between you.

Then the rule was a 4 second gap. In this case you would pick a spot that the car ahead went by, and count the seconds until you reached that same spot, and it should be at least 4 seconds.

Today it has been reduced to a 2 second gap rule.

Thank you for not tailgating. Give yourself a pat on the back.
======================================...

Fred C

One foot closer than a 2-second gap is tailgating. In actual fact, at highway speed, 2 seconds is not enough, I leave 2 1/2 to 3, minimum, in perfect driving conditions, and at night, or in any bad weather, I leave a lot more. 100 feet at 60 mph is definitely tailgating. If the front car slams on the brakes, and has slightly better tires than the following car, nothing will keep the following car from sliding into the front car. Remember, the brake light doesn't go on instantly, it takes a fraction of a second. It is physically impossibly to be braking at the instant the brake lights in front go on, so there is more delay. And, if the brake lights in front don't work, all bets are off.

I have been driving for 43 years, and the only car I ever hit from behind had started backing up while I was coming up behind him. That was in 1969. I still managed to stop fast enough the only damage was to dust on the bumper. Of course, we had real bumpers then.

BALL

as long as the cars dont touch its ok in my book

some people say 3 seconds though

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