I was pulled over for following too closely, but I was obeying the 2 second rule, the cop pulled into a turn lane, didn't turn, then merged back into traffic, he followed me for exactly 1 mile to where I could not see his headlights, what should I do?

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• When he pulled me over, 1 mile down the road, he addressed me for speeding. He went back to his car, ran my insurance etc.. then came back and said he would give me a warning on speeding, but he would have to give me the "following too closely" ticket. He was tailgating me before he pulled me over, for 1 mile. I was "following too closely" after a stoplight too. He was only observing me for about 2 seconds and I did realize I was creeping and braked. There still isn't anything I can do?

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  by RyPaL32492 on June 23rd, 2009

• The law in Florida is the "2 second rule" not 3.
  
  http://www.dmvflorida.org/defensive-driving.shtml

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  by RyPaL32492 on June 23rd, 2009

• no. you were speeding. the following too closely ticket will probably cost less and incur fewer points than the speeding ticket. you have no witnesses. just pay the ticket.
  
  i would also reconsider the 2 second rule in florida. 2 seconds distance is not a whole lot of time to avoid rear-ending someone when you're traveling at high speeds. the cop also seemed to think 2 seconds distance qualifies as tailgating. you will never get charged with tailgating if you follow the 3 second rule.

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  by Shan is Purrrrrfectly Happy on June 23rd, 2009

• I understand that you should not exceed the speed limit at any time, and I should have braked, but I didn't. This was a unmarked car, I didn't know what he was doing. To be honest, I thought he was going to follow me to wherever I was going and was considering pulling off on a side road. I was not tailgating him, it was off of a red light and I felt I was getting up on him, so I braked, then he pulled off and merged back into traffic. Okay, I was still obeying the Florida law, I should have done 3 seconds but I was still following the state law of 2. If he thought he should have pulled me over for "following too closely", don't you think he should have pulled me over rather than follow me for 1 mile? I have had people tell me to fight it, but I want to check others opinions. I also understand that it will cost less and add 3 instead of 4 points. If I pay the ticket, I will have to apply for a restricted license, due to the fact that I am 17 and have another violation. Still disagree?

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  by RyPaL32492 on June 23rd, 2009

• well, you have nothing to lose by going to court and disputing it. if the cop doesnt show up in court the date of your hearing for whatever reason, the charges will be dropped. i would suggest getting an attorney since you are in jeopardy of having a restricted license. judges tend to be more lenient in sentencing when you appear in traffic court with an attorney.

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  by Shan is Purrrrrfectly Happy on June 23rd, 2009

• Well I still don't understand how I don't have a reasonable case. I did nothing wrong. How can someone "tailgate" or "follow too closely" for 2 seconds? I wouldn't make this up and I am not exaggerating. One, traffic lanes marked with a solid white line take on the same properties of a double solid yellow, he merged back into 45mph traffic from a stop, which could be considered hazardous. If he was following me to where I could not see his headlights for a mile, why am I in the wrong? Understood, I'm a minor and cops are out to get me/us. But if he was running my plate, why didn't he pull me over to do it? What could he have been doing for a minute and a half following me like that? Doesn't that make some sort of sense? I was obeying the law, I had done nothing wrong until I suspected I was in a hazardous situation and all I could do was speed up.

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  by RyPaL32492 on June 23rd, 2009

• the bottom line is its your word against the cops. judges tend to favor cops, as they have sworn to uphold the law, and they have long-standing track records with the court. you on the other hand are a complete stranger ~ they dont know you from adam. plus, you are a juvenile, and young drivers tend to be more aggressive. i would hire an attorney if you want to improve your chances of winning. sure, you can dispute it, but your success depends on whether the judge chooses to believe you over the cop and his or her mood that day. good luck.

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  by Shan is Purrrrrfectly Happy on June 23rd, 2009

• Would being a "good student" tend to work in my favor as well? Next year will be my senior year and everyone I know is taking the easy way out and coasting through their last year of high school. I, on the other hand, have passed my College Placement Test (CPT) and will be enrolled in 4 college classes, as well as honors courses. Will this have any effect of their decision? I've never been to court before.

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  by RyPaL32492 on June 23rd, 2009

• good grades can help. but the prior driving offense on your record might override that.

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  by Shan is Purrrrrfectly Happy on June 23rd, 2009

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