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by anpatte on April 9th, 2007

anpatte

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I was given a ticket in Indiana for following too closely. I've done some research and only found that the "2 second rule" should be followed when behind another vehicle. I was 2.5 seconds behind while driving. Can I fight this and win?

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Answers. 11 helpful answers below.

  • by csimme01 and Ninja Cooper UNMASKED on December 31st, 2008

    csimme01 and Ninja Cooper UNMASKED

    Two seconds is the minimum distance you should follow someone under ideal conditions. Dark, snow, rain ect changes the "SAFE" distance. Here's how I feel. If you were on a reletive empty road and you were travling the same speed as the vehicle in front of you there is no reason to be anywhere near that vehicle. I travel for work with other vehicles and under those conditiond we use a 10 to 15 second rule. 70 MPH = 102.3 feet per second. 2 seconds = 204.6 feet. On an empty road why would two fast moving vehicles want to be this close? On the other hand if it was a busy road 2 seconds is the "RULE" and should be ok. Your problem is going to convince a judge you were indeed 2 seconds back. My guess is the officer feels you weren't

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  • by john pennington on December 3rd, 2009

    john pennington

    The 2 second rule does not always apply. there are several factors to consider, when a vehicle is following too closely to the vehicle ahead.

    I have used the following in making my own determination:

    I consider a vehicle following too closely, when the car behind hits his brakes three times. this is obsesrved by the brake lights going on and off when the driver hits the brake pedal.

    In all the years in i have been in law enforcement, i have never lost a case on following too closely, based on my determination.

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  • by Hardcore Conservative on December 3rd, 2009

    Hardcore Conservative

    Don't bother. It's going to be your word against the officer's and chances are, the officer's word carries more weight than yours.

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  • by The BoomHound on December 3rd, 2009

    The BoomHound

    No you cant win. The cop will say whatever he wants to make sure you lose. Pay and move on

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  • by john pennington on January 1st, 2009

    john pennington

    2nd Answer..........

    Do you have any idea how many feet it takes to stop a 3,000 pound automobile at 70 mph?

    This, of course, if the vehicle has perfect brakes.

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  • by john pennington on January 1st, 2009

    john pennington

    The two second rule is not the only rule that applies to following too close.

    The officer could have used this method to determine your violation:

    The speed limit is 55 mph. you and another vehicle are in the fast lane. other vehicle is going 55 mph and you approach his vehicle to pass. you are within two feet of his rear bumper. you hit your brakes two or three times to avoid a rearend collision.

    This is following too close and borderlines reckless driving.

    The two second rule is not the only rule that can apply to following too close.

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  • by Mike Astill on December 31st, 2008

    Mike Astill

    Probably not.

    If I were a cop, I would only ticket someone who was following dangerously close behind someone. There is no way to prove you were 2.5 seconds behind. The cop, on the other hand, may have a camera on his dash and can show the judge how dangerous you were driving.

    On the other hand, they may not want to waste the resources to fight you and you may get lucky.

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  • by allikatzpop on December 31st, 2008

    allikatzpop

    Its a judgment call,the officers judgment and the judges call.Fight it if you want you may have a chance to win.

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  • by Mr. Black on January 1st, 2009

    Mr. Black

    When a ticket like this is taken to a ticket buster or what ever you would like to call that service, they have to prove that you where following the person ahead of you. Some sort of loop hole. That is what saved my brother on a ticket for following to close.

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  • by DWALLS27 on December 3rd, 2009

    DWALLS27

    I was just given a ticket yesterday for following too closely. the senario was i was going 75 there was a car in front and a car behind me. all abount the same distance apart from each other. ahead there was a cop with some other unlucky guy pulled over on the right ahead we all were in the fast lane and suddenly just past the pulled over partrolman a cop signals for me to pull over. I admit a was following a little close but i don't beleive i was being reckless. but i think i have found a loophole, in the state code that was given to me regarding the laws of the crime it states "The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another 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. Except when overtaking and passing another vehicle, the driver of a vehicle shall leave a distance of at least 20 feet for each 10 miles per hour of speed between the vehicle that he is driving and the vehicle that he is following." the key part is where it says EXCEPT WHEN OVERTAKING AND PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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  • by gondola on April 9th, 2007

    gondola

    If you were 2.5 seconds behind the other vehicle, there is no way you would have been pulled over for it. 2.5 seconds quite a distance between cars even at slow speeds.

    It can be contested. Following too closely behind a vehicle is something an officer would have a difficult time proving. Since it is based on sight, without a camera that captured the act, (s)he wouldn't have much of a case.

    Keep in mind, one person's idea of a "safe distance" may differ than that of someone else. At 70mph, some people feel that even 3 seconds is too close. It sounds like you are young. This can also affect an officer's decision to pull you over. Best of luck.

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