Following too closely
Florida Statute § 316.0895(1)
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 1, 2026.
Quick Summary
A driver must not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent for speed, traffic, and highway conditions. Document following distance or time gap together with speed, visibility, surface, and available reaction/stopping room. The statute does not set a universal seconds rule for ordinary vehicles. A collision is not required, and the mere occurrence of a rear-end crash does not replace assessment of the following conduct and conditions.
Summary sources
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Following
- Type
- Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Moving infraction
- Points
- 3
- Fine / Penalty
- $60 base moving penalty; speeding/enhanced-zone schedules may differ
Base fines are not the total payable amount. Costs, enforcement method, crash consequences, prior history, and court disposition can change penalties or points. A reported zero does not rule out license suspension or revocation.
Court & Enforcement
Court & Enforcement
- Mandatory Court
- No, generally
- NTA Eligible
- N/A — civil citation
- Custodial Arrest
- No — civil infraction (absent separate lawful basis)
NTA means notice to appear. Eligibility is conditional; these fields do not independently authorize arrest. Confirm the exact statutory track, lawful arrest authority, traffic procedure, and agency policy.
Arrest authority guideCivil infractions resulting in death or serious bodily injury require a hearing under §318.19.