Following Too Closely in Tacoma

Following too closely, also known as tailgating, is a traffic violation under Washington law that can lead to severe legal and financial consequences. In Tacoma, drivers are required to maintain a safe following distance based on the speed, traffic conditions, and the weather. Failure to do so may result in a citation. While it might just be a minor infraction in most cases, it can escalate if it contributes to an accident or is made worse by other offenses.

The general rule is that you should maintain at least one car length for every 10 miles per hour of speed. For example, if you are traveling at 60 mph, you should keep about six car lengths between yourself and the vehicle in front of you.

If you have received a citation for following too closely, the penalties can include fines and increased insurance premiums. The stakes can be higher if you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL), as a violation like this can jeopardize employment opportunities. Worse, tailgating can also lead to criminal charges, especially if it results in an accident that causes injury, death, or property damage. Aggravating factors like reckless driving and intoxication can lead to potential jail time.

Local authorities in Tacoma take tailgating offenses seriously, especially during peak hours when the traffic congestion is more extreme. They are quick to spot tailgating behavior and issue citations based on their observations and reports from other drivers. This is why it is essential to know that the officer’s judgment might not always be accurate.

If you are facing charges beyond just a citation, like reckless driving or assault, having legal representation becomes so much more important. Criminal charges related to tailgating can have long-lasting consequences for your personal and professional life, whether it’s fines, a potential license suspension, or even the threat of jail time.

Understanding what it means to follow too closely requires the skill and expertise of an experienced defense team. Since law enforcement officers base citations on subjective observations instead of concrete evidence, this leaves room for dispute.

A criminal defense attorney can investigate all of the factors and help reduce the penalties or potentially even have the case completely dismissed. With skilled counsel, you can contest the charges against you, negotiate for a plea deal in some cases, and possibly avoid severe consequences associated with a tailgating-related accident.

Washington State Law on Tailgating in Tacoma

The laws relevant to tailgating and following too closely in Tacoma can be found in the Revised Code of Washington. This outlines the requirements for maintaining a safe following distance between vehicles.

Here are some of the key provisions you will find under RCW 46.61.145:

• Reasonable and Prudent Distance: You shouldn’t follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent. You must also consider the speed of traffic, the road conditions, and the volume of traffic.
• Commercial Vehicles: Additional rules apply to truck drivers and those towing a trailer, as these vehicles need to leave sufficient space so that other vehicles can safely merge between them. Violating these laws can mean additional penalties, like the suspension or revocation of your CDL, which can cost you your career.
• Caravans and Convoys: When driving in a line or convoy, you must maintain enough space to allow other vehicles to merge safely. This is especially relevant for larger vehicle groups who are traveling together.

Violating these tailgating laws can result in a traffic infraction, which generally comes alongside a fine. In more extreme cases, following too closely can result in criminal charges, and because the penalties for this are more severe, you want to consult an experienced attorney familiar with traffic law. They can explain the options available to you and effectively defend your case.

Tailgating is Risky Behavior in Tacoma

The busy streets of Tacoma include major highways like Interstate 5 and Highway 16. These roadways often see congestion and make it tempting for drivers to follow too closely. However, Washington law is clear on this because following too closely can result in accidents and a higher risk to everyone’s safety.

In Tacoma, traffic patterns can change quickly, which means your ability to immediately respond to sudden stops or lane changes is important. Failure to keep adequate space between your vehicle and the one in front of you can be seen as negligent behavior.

If you want to avoid a legal battle and keep yourself and others safe, it’s time to refrain from following too closely.

When You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney for Following Too Closely in Tacoma

When tailgating leads to an accident, your penalties quickly become much more severe than just a simple traffic infraction. Consider seeking help from an experienced criminal defense attorney if you have been cited for following too closely or are facing criminal charges in Tacoma.

An attorney can investigate the specifics of your case, challenge any evidence, and build a strong defense. Whether it’s disputing the officer’s assessment of the situation or addressing the role some of the other drivers played in the events, legal counsel can help potentially reduce the consequences.

We believe that every traffic infraction can be challenged. Our attorneys have over 20 years of experience handling these types of cases and will work tirelessly on your behalf to lessen the penalties and keep your driving record intact.

The title for this statute is pretty straightforward. It means you were driving your vehicle too closely to the vehicle in front of you. There is no specific distance formula within the statute as there are too many variables to weigh. For the most part, it is a subjective distance where if it is a close call, odds are an officer will not cite you.

Officers are going to be looking more for blatantly obvious examples of following too closely, i.e. following at 1 car length while traveling 60 mph. The typical rule of thumb is one car length for every 10 mph driven. However, this does not take into consideration other factors beyond simply speed, such as the weather, visibility, road conditions, and the vehicle being driven. Driving a sedan on a dry sunny day requires a distance far shorter than driving a big truck and trailer in the fog on a slick roadway.

Often, officers will automatically issue a following too closely ticket when a car rear ends another vehicle. The officer does not care how fast the cars were going or the distance between them. The bottom line is the second car did not leave enough space to avoid striking the car in front.

Whether your ticket is stemming from an accident or simply an officer’s observations, contact our office to fight for a clean record.