Transportation and Vehicle Safety: Distance between vehicles, traffic accident investigator, traffic congestion

Question
In California, is there any regulation or law regarding the safe distance between stopped vehicles on freeway ? Recently I was rear-ended on the 405 freeway. I stopped due to heavy traffic congestion, then was hit from behind. I did not hit anyone in front of me. The driver claimed that he had stopped too, and was also rear-ended by the car behind him, causing him to hit me. But isn't he required to stop at a safe distance far enough so he would not hit someone in front ?

Answer
Hi Chris and welcome to AllExperts!

The only distances that are regulated for California are in regards to a moving motor vehicle following another moving motor vehicle.

In this case, the written rule is a 3 second interval between you and the vehicle in front, independent of speed. While not written, if the vehicle is a large truck, then 4 seconds should apply and if the vehicle is a very large vehicle (18 wheeler), 5 seconds should apply.

This doesn't account for people jumping into the large protective bubble you have created. It is only based on you being able to stop in time.

As to the distances between a stationary vehicle in front of another stationary vehicle, there are no regulations, just suggestions. A driver should stop with enough distance between their car and the vehicle in front so they can see the roadway behind the rear tires of that vehicle.

We are however always required to operate the vehicle in a manner that is safe for all users of the road under all circumstances. In this area, it becomes more of a civil issue than a Vehicle Code issue.

If a traffic accident investigator can determine that the person who struck you as a result of being struck themselves should have noticed they were going to be rear-ended and continued to close the gap between their car and yours, there just might be an avenue of  civil responsibility in their case. This however would be very hard to prove.

If you are looking for civil responsibility for damages to your vehicle and other recompensory damages, then it should go against the person who rear-ended the person behind you as they are responsible for everyone who had been involved in this cascade action.

I hope this has helped!

Have a great day.

Terry