Legal Question in Traffic Law in Louisiana

Following too close

My daughter was on the cause way in Parish County, LA when she was stopped and ticketed for FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE. No accident involved, the Officer just told her that they were stopping anyone that appeared to be loser then 50 Ft to the vehicle in front of them. As with any busy highway the traffic moves back and fourth and sooner or later we are all on someone's bumper. I cant get anyone at the police station to quote me TITLE 32, SEC 81a. They seemed a bit upset when I asked. I cant believe that the lawmakers left it up the the Officer to decide what TOO CLOSE was. How can I find exact wording on the Title / Sec? Thanks


Asked on 12/06/07, 3:10 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Adam Lambert The Law Office of Adam S. Lambert

Re: Following too close

Go to the Louisiana Legislature's site at www.legis.state.la.us and click on the "Louisiana Laws" link.

The text of the statute is as follows:

�81. Following vehicles

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 vehicle and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.

B. The driver of a motor truck, when traveling upon a highway outside a business or residential district, shall not follow another motor truck within four hundred feet, but this shall not be so construed as to prevent one motor truck from overtaking and passing another.

C. Motor vehicles being driven upon any roadway outside of a business or residence district in a caravan or motorcade, whether or not towing other vehicles, shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between each such vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger. This provision shall not apply to a funeral procession.

Acts 1962, No. 310, �1.

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Answered on 12/06/07, 4:24 pm


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