Following Too Closely (HTA s. 158)
Under HTA s. 158, the issue is whether you were following another vehicle more closely than was reasonable and prudent for the speed, traffic, and road conditions. Ontario law does not set a fixed car-length or two-second rule, so the officer’s judgment and notes can be important.
What is the charge?
Following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent for the speed, the traffic, and the road conditions.
Penalties
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4 demerit points
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Fine of $110 to $500
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Possible 30-day suspension
Why there is more to argue here than most charges?
Ontario law specifies no distance. There is no two-second rule in the statute, no car-length formula, no measurable threshold you either met or did not. The entire charge is the officer's assessment that your following distance was unreasonable in the circumstances — a subjective judgment, formed in seconds, usually from a vehicle in motion behind or beside you.
That makes it unusual among traffic charges. On a red light or a speeding ticket the prosecution has something concrete to point to. Here it has an opinion, and opinions can be tested: on what basis was the distance estimated, from what position, at what speed, in what traffic density, and what did the officer's notes record at the time versus reconstruct afterwards?
Why four points is worth taking seriously?
Four points is more than a red light or a stop sign, and it is enough on its own to trigger the escalating suspension track for a novice driver. Insurers also tend to read this charge as collision-adjacent, which prices it above its point value. Note as well that tailgating in a sufficiently aggressive form can be charged as stunt driving rather than under s. 158 — check which section you were actually issued.
Where the case is an officer's estimate rather than a measurement, disclosure is the whole exercise: it shows you what was actually recorded and how firm it is.
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Why Choose Us for Following Too Closely Defence?
A following too closely charge in Ontario often depends on the officer’s judgment about distance, speed, traffic, and road conditions. Vertex Legal Solutions provides licensed paralegal services to review the charge, available disclosure, and what the officer actually recorded before explaining your options.
How Your Red Light Ticket Matter Is Handled
A clear process helps you understand what is being reviewed and what may happen before your court date. Vertex Legal Solutions provides licensed paralegal services and reviews the officer’s observations, traffic conditions, speed, road conditions, and available disclosure before explaining your options.
Send us your ticket or summons, court date, and a short description of what happened. We check the location, traffic conditions, vehicle positions, and the basic details of the following too closely charge.
We review the officer’s notes, their position, estimated following distance, speed, traffic density, and road conditions. Since Ontario law does not set a fixed car-length or two-second rule, how the officer formed the opinion can be important.
Your options are explained in simple terms. Your licensed Ontario paralegal reviews the disclosure and prepares the next steps for your Following Too Closely Defence in Ontario based on the evidence and circumstances of the alleged tailgating offence.
Daniel R., Toronto
“I contacted Vertex Legal Solutions after receiving a following too closely ticket in Ontario. They reviewed the officer’s notes, traffic conditions, and estimated distance between the vehicles, then explained the possible 4 demerit points and next steps clearly.”
Aiden P., Mississauga
“My ticket was based on the officer’s view that I was following too closely. Vertex explained that Ontario does not use a fixed car-length or two-second rule and reviewed how the officer reached that conclusion.”
Michael T., Brampton
“As a novice driver, I was concerned about how a 4-point conviction could affect my licence. The paralegal reviewed my driving record and explained the possible suspension impact in simple terms.”
Sarah M., Hamilton
“My charge happened in heavy traffic, so I wanted the road and traffic conditions properly considered. Vertex Legal Solutions reviewed the officer’s position, estimated distance, and available disclosure before explaining my options.”
Jason K., Ottawa
“Vertex Legal Solutions helped me understand my options for Following Too Closely Defence in Ontario. They reviewed the officer’s observations, speed, traffic conditions, and disclosure and kept the whole process clear and organised.”
What Ontario Drivers Say About Vertex Legal Solutions for Following Too Closely Issues
A following too closely charge in Ontario can raise concerns about demerit points, licence impact, and how the officer estimated the distance between vehicles. Vertex Legal Solutions provides licensed paralegal services to help Ontario drivers review the allegation, disclosure, and available options clearly.
Following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent for the speed, the traffic, and the road conditions.