This past week, we went on a road trip to visit our youngest son at Hillsdale College in Michigan. Our travels gave us the opportunity to once again experience the thrill that is Chicago traffic. Of the many driving styles and unique moments that such dense traffic produces, I thought I would focus on my personal favorite: following too closely.

First, let’s establish the statutory language on this issue. State Statute 346.14(1), “Auto Following Too Closely,” covers this behavior. It states: “The operator 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 highway.” The fine for this offense is over $200 and carries a four-point assessment on your license.

While the statute does not give a specific following distance for passenger vehicles, it does state that trucks with a gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more must maintain a following distance of 500 feet.

So the question is: What is too close? This depends on the speed of both vehicles as well as road and weather conditions. In a city or village at low speeds, the distance may be less than when traveling on rural roads where speeds are higher. The primary concern relates to those rural roads and highways. For these, it is prudent to keep a distance of approximately 300 feet between your vehicle and the one you are following. Why 300 feet? It is roughly the distance between utility poles along many roads, making it an easy way to gauge your space at any given moment.

The reason following too closely is a concern is that it shows disregard for your safety as well as the safety of those you are following. Consider the reaction time needed when a deer or other object suddenly appears in your lane. You can imagine the results when that reaction time is eliminated due to tailgating. While the vehicle ahead of you may be able to see, process, and respond, all you will have time to do is cause an accident—one that could injure not only you but your passengers and other motorists.

Many drivers think that if they “hug” the vehicle in front of them, it will somehow force that driver to speed up. I can assure you that is not the case. Following too closely is a form of nonverbal communication that does nothing more than create a dangerous environment and signal to the driver ahead that you are being rude and inconsiderate.

You can avoid the need to follow too closely by planning ahead and leaving plenty of time for your travels. This is especially important as we transition into the winter season—not only because road conditions become less forgiving, but also because those conditions can change at a moment’s notice. A temperature shift of just a few degrees can be the difference between stopping and sliding.

If you are the victim of an inconsiderate driver following too closely, feel free to call law enforcement. Often, these impatient drivers follow up their tailgating with a passing maneuver, which provides a great opportunity to get their license plate number and allow us to “educate” them. If you are able to call law enforcement safely and are willing to give a statement, it will allow us to elevate that educational experience through a citation.

For those keeping track, our current year-to-date car-deer accidents stand at 259. At this time last year, the total was 184. That’s quite an increase, so stay vigilant!