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Professional truck drivers seldom expect a single citation to threaten their livelihood. A first conviction for a violation classified as “a serious offense,” however, can do exactly that. If you are found guilty of following another vehicle too closely, a second conviction of any other serious offense within three years can trigger a 60-day suspension of your CDL. A third can sideline you for 120 days, and a fourth results in a suspension of your CDL for an entire year. A conviction also can block your ability to get a new job, because points are added to your pre-employment screening record. A truck driver isn’t always the one at fault, of course, when they’re pulled over for following another vehicle too closely. Perhaps a driver in front of you does a brake check or cuts in front of you. Tourist traffic on some popular California routes can create such dangerous situations that truck drivers are unfairly ticketed. Whether that citation is fair or not, mounting a strong defense is essential to protecting your livelihood. The law specifically requires drivers to maintain a “reasonable and prudent” following distance, after taking into account the speed of traffic and the condition of the roadway. But how do you measure that? While a passenger car travelling at 65 mph needs about the length of one football field to stop, an 80,000-pound truck going that fast needs almost twice as far. One common rule of thumb is to track your following distance by counting down three seconds, depending on highway conditions. That entails choosing a marker ahead, waiting for the vehicle you are following to pass it, and counting down three seconds. If you pass the marker before you’re done counting, you are following too closely! Applying the “reasonable and prudent” rule requires judgment and experience. A driver can be following another vehicle at a reasonable distance when an erratic driver cuts in front of them, creating the impression that the truck driver was at fault. Keeping a dashcam handy to record other drivers’ dangerous behavior can be helpful. If you are cited for following too closely, the experienced traffic ticket lawyers at our firm will build a credible defense that a judge will understand. If you need help with a citation for an alleged traffic violation, call us today! We will go to the mat to defend your rights and your livelihood. THE COSTLY CONSEQUENCES OF FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY
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Christ Jesus who strengthens me.” PHILIPPIANS 4:13
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