Vermont Statutes Annotated

Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 23, § 1039 (2026)

Following too closely, crowding, and harassment

✓ current as of May 2026

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Subchapter 003 : USE OF ROADWAY

(Cite as: 23 V.S.A. § 1039)

§ 1039. Following too closely, crowding, and harassment

(a) The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of the vehicles and the traffic upon, and the conditions of, the highway. The operator of a vehicle shall not, in a careless or imprudent manner, approach, pass, or maintain speed unnecessarily close to a vulnerable user as defined in subdivision 4(81) of this title, and an occupant of a vehicle shall not throw any object or substance at a vulnerable user.

(b) The driver of any vehicle, when traveling upon a roadway outside a business or residential district and that is following another vehicle, shall, whenever conditions permit, leave sufficient space so that an overtaking vehicle may enter and occupy the space without danger, except that this shall not prevent a vehicle from overtaking and passing any other vehicle.

(c) Vehicles being driven upon any roadway in a caravan or motorcade, other than a funeral procession, shall be so operated as to allow sufficient space between each vehicle or combination of vehicles so as to enable any other vehicle to enter and occupy the space without danger. (Added 1971, No. 258 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. March 1, 1973; amended 2009, No. 114 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 1 case, 2006–2006 · leading case: Barber v. LaFromboise.

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Barber v. LaFromboise (Vt. 2006). “Plaintiff also claims there was insufficient evidence to support the court’s instruction on safety statutes relating to a driver’s duty not to follow another vehicle more closely “than is reasonable and prudent,” 23 V.S.A. § 1039(a), and a driver’s duty not to drive “at a speed…”

— Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 23, § 1039(a) — 1 case

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