Tail-gating drivers could be fined $150 as part of a police operation aimed at reducing crashes on Otago and Southland roads.
Drivers travelling too close to other vehicles had resulted in 920 crashes, two deaths and 36 people receiving serious injuries over the past five years in the Southern District, Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Steve Larking said.
Police will launch Operation Close, a district-wide initiative targeting those who tailgate on state highways.
As part of the campaign, police will mark out sections of state highways so they can identify whether a driver is travelling too close. Offending drivers could be fined $150.
He confirmed to the Otago Daily Times other surveillance techniques, including video and photographs, could be used as part of the campaign, which will begin next month.
Snr Sgt Larking said Operation Close was not designed as a revenue earner, but would help educate drivers and penalise those who drove too close.
Drivers should remember to count out the "two-second rule", which would give them an indicative safe following distance, regardless of the speed they were travelling.
"One of the best ways to reduce this risk is for drivers to give themselves more time to react and to travel at safe following distances."
He said people who noticed drivers following too closely should indicate and pull over in a safe place, or slow down on a straight piece of road.
Concerned drivers could record the offending vehicle's registration, note the date and time the incident occurred and report their complaint to the nearest police station.
He acknowledged drivers who drove well under the speed limit could be a source of frustration and they would also be a target for police.
