All states have laws that prohibit drivers from following another vehicle too closely—also known as tailgating or failing to maintain a safe distance. The penalty for following too closely usually includes a fine and points on your driver’s license.

Laws vary from state to state but laws against following too closely generally prohibit:

• following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, having due regard for the speed of both vehicles and the traffic and road conditions at the time; or

• when traveling upon a roadway outside of a business or residence district, following within two hundred feet of another vehicle.

Following too closely may also be defined as situations in which one vehicle is following another vehicle so closely that even if the following driver is attentive to the actions of the vehicle ahead, the driver of the following vehicle could not avoid a collision if the driver in front brakes suddenly.

As with many traffic violations, the officer issuing the citation and the prosecutor have significant discretion in determining whether there was a violation of a traffic law and whether the violation constitutes a certain offense, as defined by the state legislature in the traffic code or in a municipal ordinance.

This discretion to issue a ticket or citation and prosecute the charge against the driver is balanced by the discretion of the jury or judge in determining whether the prosecution met its burden of proof sufficient to convict the driver (for a criminal offense) or find the driver responsible (for a civil infraction, violation, or offense).

In Missouri, tailgating or following another vehicle too closely is prohibited under state law. Missouri statutes require drivers to maintain a 'reasonably safe following distance,' taking into account the speed of the vehicles, traffic, and road conditions. Specifically, Missouri law (MO Rev Stat § 304.019) states that a driver should not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, with due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the conditions of the road. While the law does not specify a certain number of feet for safe following distances outside of business or residential districts, drivers are expected to use their judgment to maintain a safe distance to prevent collisions. Penalties for tailgating in Missouri typically include fines and points on the driver's license. Enforcement of this law is at the discretion of law enforcement officers, and the determination of whether a violation has occurred may ultimately be made by a judge or jury if contested in court.