California vehicle code 21703 requires you to leave a safe distance between you and the car in front of you. This distance varies according to speeds, road conditions, traffic congestion and weather. The standard that the courts look at is whether the distance between your car and the car in front of you was reasonable and prudent for the conditions on the road.
Since you’re reading this, the police thought you were tailgating. When fighting this ticket, you are going to be the judge will be looking at the evidence to determine if the distance between your car and the car in front of you were far enough to be considered reasonable and prudent.
There are a couple good strategies to use on this one – much of it depends on what the cop tells you during the stop. If he mentions the DMV booklet or quotes the 1-car-length-per-10mph thing or the three-second rule, then your odds are significantly better. Strategies for fighting this particular ticket are in the Ticket Assassin Shareware document library.
V C Section 21703 Following Too Closely
Following Too Closely
21703. 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 vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway.