§ 41-6a-711 — Following another vehicle -- Safe distance -- Exceptions -- Penalty.

(1) As used in this section, "connected platooning system" means a system that uses vehicle-to-vehicle communication to electronically coordinate the speed and braking of a lead vehicle with the speed and braking of one or more following vehicles.
(2) The operator of a vehicle:

(2)(a) may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the:
(2)(a)(i) speed of the vehicles;
(2)(a)(ii) traffic upon the highway; and
(2)(a)(iii) condition of the highway; and
(2)(b) shall follow at a distance so that at least two seconds elapse before reaching the location of the vehicle directly in front of the operator's vehicle.
(3) Subsection (2)(b) does not apply to:

(3)(a) funeral processions or to congested traffic conditions resulting in prevailing vehicle speeds of less than 35 miles per hour; or
(3)(b) the operator of a vehicle that is:
(3)(b)(i) part of a connected platooning system; and
(3)(b)(ii) not the lead vehicle.
(4) A violation of Subsection (2) is an infraction.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 263, 2018 General Session