Most drivers have experienced a moment when traffic suddenly slows and everyone ends up closer than they would like. Maybe the person ahead braked hard. Maybe you were on the interstate and traffic bunched up. In Wisconsin, moments like these can easily result in a ticket for following too closely, also known as tailgating.
And while it might feel like a routine citation, this particular ticket can carry more consequences than people realize. It adds points to your license, raises insurance rates, and can even push you toward a suspension if you already have other tickets on your record.
If you are wondering things like “how many points is following too closely in Wisconsin” or “can I fight a tailgating ticket,” you are definitely not alone. At Bayer Law Offices, our Milwaukee traffic ticket lawyers handle these cases every day, and we know how frustrating and confusing they can be. Here is what you need to know before you decide how to handle your ticket.
Wisconsin assigns four points for a following too closely conviction. For many drivers, that number matters a lot. Wisconsin uses a point system that tracks violations over a 12 month period. If you reach 12 points, you face a license suspension.
So if you are already sitting at six or eight points from speeding or past tickets, a tailgating citation can quickly push you into suspension territory.
Even if you have a clean record, those four points can still hurt. Insurance companies look closely at tailgating violations because they are associated with rear end collisions. A bump in premiums is common, and those rate increases can stick around for years.
This is one of the reasons so many drivers choose to fight this specific ticket. The long term cost is often far higher than the fine printed on your citation.
Here is something most drivers do not realize. Wisconsin law does not define a specific distance that counts as “too close.” Instead, the statute simply says you cannot follow another vehicle more closely than is “reasonable and prudent.”
That means the officer makes a judgment call, and judgment calls can be challenged.
Every situation on the road is different. Maybe traffic was slowing down. Maybe the driver ahead braked unpredictably. Maybe weather conditions made it appear you were closer than you were. Without video evidence, many tailgating citations come down to an officer’s perception rather than clear proof.
This opens the door for reductions, amended charges, or outright dismissal, especially when handled by an experienced Wisconsin traffic lawyer who understands how to argue these cases.
Yes, in many cases you can. This is one of the most common reasons people hire us. Reducing points can mean:
A reduction depends on your driving history, the facts of the stop, and the local court. Every county handles these cases a little differently. The good news is that Bayer Law Offices has worked in courts all over Wisconsin for more than 15 years, and we have a strong sense of what is possible in each jurisdiction.
At Bayer Law Offices, we know how stressful a traffic citation feels, especially when it threatens your ability to drive. For the past 15 years, we have helped both Wisconsin drivers and Illinois drivers ticketed in Wisconsin reduce points, protect their licenses, and avoid unnecessary penalties.
We keep the process simple and straightforward. Most clients appreciate that many cases can be handled without them ever stepping foot in court. All you need to do is give us a call and let us take it from there.
A tailgating ticket may seem like a small thing, but four points on your license can follow you much longer than you expect. Before you pay it, find out whether you can fight it.
Bayer Law Offices offers free consultations, flat fee pricing, and years of experience successfully handling following too closely citations throughout Wisconsin. If you want to reduce points or challenge your ticket, we are ready to help.
Call Bayer Law Offices today to talk about your citation and learn what options you have.
Most drivers have experienced a moment when traffic suddenly slows and everyone ends up closer than they would like. Maybe the person ahead braked hard. Maybe you were on the interstate and traffic bunched up. In Wisconsin, moments like these can easily result in a ticket for following too closely, also known as tailgating.
And while it might feel like a routine citation, this particular ticket can carry more consequences than people realize. It adds points to your license, raises insurance rates, and can even push you toward a suspension if you already have other tickets on your record.
If you are wondering things like “how many points is following too closely in Wisconsin” or “can I fight a tailgating ticket,” you are definitely not alone. At Bayer Law Offices, our Milwaukee traffic ticket lawyers handle these cases every day, and we know how frustrating and confusing they can be. Here is what you need to know before you decide how to handle your ticket.
Wisconsin assigns four points for a following too closely conviction. For many drivers, that number matters a lot. Wisconsin uses a point system that tracks violations over a 12 month period. If you reach 12 points, you face a license suspension.
So if you are already sitting at six or eight points from speeding or past tickets, a tailgating citation can quickly push you into suspension territory.
Even if you have a clean record, those four points can still hurt. Insurance companies look closely at tailgating violations because they are associated with rear end collisions. A bump in premiums is common, and those rate increases can stick around for years.
This is one of the reasons so many drivers choose to fight this specific ticket. The long term cost is often far higher than the fine printed on your citation.
Here is something most drivers do not realize. Wisconsin law does not define a specific distance that counts as “too close.” Instead, the statute simply says you cannot follow another vehicle more closely than is “reasonable and prudent.”
That means the officer makes a judgment call, and judgment calls can be challenged.
Every situation on the road is different. Maybe traffic was slowing down. Maybe the driver ahead braked unpredictably. Maybe weather conditions made it appear you were closer than you were. Without video evidence, many tailgating citations come down to an officer’s perception rather than clear proof.
This opens the door for reductions, amended charges, or outright dismissal, especially when handled by an experienced Wisconsin traffic lawyer who understands how to argue these cases.
Yes, in many cases you can. This is one of the most common reasons people hire us. Reducing points can mean:
A reduction depends on your driving history, the facts of the stop, and the local court. Every county handles these cases a little differently. The good news is that Bayer Law Offices has worked in courts all over Wisconsin for more than 15 years, and we have a strong sense of what is possible in each jurisdiction.
At Bayer Law Offices, we know how stressful a traffic citation feels, especially when it threatens your ability to drive. For the past 15 years, we have helped both Wisconsin drivers and Illinois drivers ticketed in Wisconsin reduce points, protect their licenses, and avoid unnecessary penalties.
We keep the process simple and straightforward. Most clients appreciate that many cases can be handled without them ever stepping foot in court. All you need to do is give us a call and let us take it from there.
A tailgating ticket may seem like a small thing, but four points on your license can follow you much longer than you expect. Before you pay it, find out whether you can fight it.
Bayer Law Offices offers free consultations, flat fee pricing, and years of experience successfully handling following too closely citations throughout Wisconsin. If you want to reduce points or challenge your ticket, we are ready to help.
Call Bayer Law Offices today to talk about your citation and learn what options you have.
When confronted with an OWI charge or criminal charges, the situation can feel daunting and overwhelming. We are here to help you shape your path to a better outcome.
