Description
Original post: "There is a high frequency of incidents with cars following much too close (tailgating) on Lead Mine Road. The fault is mostly with the tailgaiters who put others at risk of an accident, but more vigorous law enforcement would be helpful as well. Thanks."
Original response: "Issue Closed - This is going to be a very difficult one to enforce. Tailgaiting is a bad practice that puts people at risk, but as a violation is is very subjective. I will make our police officers aware so they can keep an eye out as they enforce the speeding laws."
Followup comment: If tailgating is a violation of the law, shouldn't it be enforced? I see a lot of flagrant tailgating that to me appears to be a clear violation. If the violation is obvious, much like the observation of a motorist running a stop sign, shouldn't the officer issue a citation? According to Wikipedia: "Approximately one third of rear-end collisions involve tailgating." Wouldn't this be something that we as drivers and that officers could help improve upon? Thanks.
3 Comments
Closed City of Raleigh 3 (Verified Official)
This is the applicable NC General Statute § 20-152:
(a) 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 vehicles and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.
(b) The driver of any motor vehicle traveling upon a highway outside of a business or residential district and following another motor vehicle shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger, except that this shall not prevent a motor vehicle from overtaking and passing another motor vehicle. This provision shall not apply to funeral processions. (1937, c. 407, s. 114; 1949, c. 1207, s. 4; 1973, c. 1330, s. 17.)
This, as you can see is very subjective. It is a judgment call. The best we can do is ask the officers to be aware of this and to try to enforce when they feel a safety issue is created. Please remember we have often only one or two officers patrolling a large part of the City at any one time. I will ask them to be aware but am also asking you to understand that there are many other issues the police must deal with that are more concrete and dangerous types of crimes. They will do their best but this one is a difficult one to enforce consistently.
Chip Gentry (Guest)
City of Raleigh 3 (Verified Official)