Relating to reasonable and prudent following distances while a person is operating a motor vehicle, and making penalties applicable

Current law prohibits a driver of a motor vehicle from following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, considering the speed of such vehicles, other traffic on the highway, and the condition of the highway. A violation for following too closely is punishable by a scheduled fine of $135. This bill provides minimum distances considered reasonable and prudent while a person is following another vehicle in the same lane and direction of travel under clear conditions.F. The minimum reasonable distance increases in increments of feet, from at least feet to at least 200 feet, as the speed limit on the highway increases from not more than miles per hour (MPH) to greater than MPH. The scheduled fine for a violation is not amended.482A, if a person is convicted for a violation of the bill and the violation causes a serious injury, a court could impose an additional fine of $500 or suspend the person’s driver’s license for not more than days, or both. If a person is convicted for a violation of the bill and the violation causes a death, a court could impose an additional fine of $1,000 or suspend the person’s driver’s license for not more than 180 days, or both.