As you drive down a Washington state highway, someone starts following you closely.
This is called tailgating, and it can be annoying when you’re on the road.
Washington state has strict rules about how far away cars can follow each other on the road.
How much space should there be between vehicles? What should you do if you notice a driver approaching you?
Here’s what you need to know:
Tony Offerman/toverman@theolympian.com
How closely can you track a car under Washington law?
The law states that in Washington state, drivers may not “follow another vehicle too closely where it is reasonable and prudent to do so, with due regard to the speed of such vehicle and the traffic and conditions on the highway.”
According to the Washington Revised Code, when traveling on roads outside of commercial or residential areas, drivers must “leave adequate space” so that other vehicles can “enter and occupy the space without danger.”
However, this rule does not apply to funeral processions.
How do I tell if I’m following too closely?
According to Direct Auto Insurance, when you’re driving, it’s important to leave “two seconds” of space between you and the next car.
Insurers say this is equivalent to driving one car for every 5 miles per hour driven.
According to Direct Auto Insurance, the delay method works as follows:
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Select roadside objects such as light poles, telephone poles, or traffic signs as markers.
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As soon as the back end of the vehicle in front of you passes the object, start counting two.
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If you pass the mark before you finish counting, you are too close. slow down.
Olympia law firm Ladenburg Law Injury Attorneys says on its website that “rearending is an aggressive behavior that puts the safety of others at risk,” leading to an “increased likelihood of a rear-end collision” and the potential for road rage.
What are the penalties for tailgating in Washington State?
Under Washington state law, fines for each traffic violation cannot exceed $250.
According to Washington State’s violation penalty schedule, the base penalty for “following too closely” is $48.
However, state law states that you may pay an additional fine if you are caught following a “vulnerable user of the public roadway,” such as a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist.
Can I brake to check a driver who is following too closely?
According to Bellevue-based Jones, a brake check “is when a driver suddenly and intentionally slams on the brakes in front of another vehicle without justifiable reason.”
McClatchy Media previously reported that slamming on the brakes in front of a rear-ending driver is illegal.
Washington state law says you may not “stop, stand or park your vehicle” unless necessary to avoid a conflict with other traffic or if you are following the instructions of a police officer or traffic control device.
“As troopers, we see many crashes that occur because drivers do not provide adequate following distance,” Washington State Patrol Trooper Kelsey Hardin wrote in an email to The News Tribune. “With insufficient following distance, drivers have less time to react when the vehicle slows down. [or] Stopping or the vehicle in front must swerve to block the debris. “
What should I do if someone is following me?
If you find yourself being followed too closely, Ladenburg Legal Injury Lawyers recommend taking the following steps:
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