By Lookout Staff

July 3, 2012 -- During July, the Santa Monica police officers will be on the lookout for motorists following other vehicles too closely.

Every month in 2012, the Santa Monica Police Department has targeted driving behaviors that are leading causes of accidents, including speeding and pedestrian awareness. This month, officers will go after “tailgaters.”

“When a vehicle in front stops, the vehicle that is tailgating will not have time to stop,” said Sgt. Richard Lewis, the Police Department spokesman.

“The main contributors for traffic collisions as a result of following too closely are inattention or being in a hurry,” he said.

Not only is it unsafe, it’s also illegal to tailgate, according to police officials.

California’s vehicle code states, “The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent.”

“Reasonable and prudent” as they relate to traffic speed and road conditions. The faster a vehicle is traveling, the longer it will take to stop, officials said.

One way people can avoid tailgating is by being more patient.

“The Santa Monica Police Department asks that you allow yourself some extra time when you prepare to go somewhere and be cognizant of the vehicle in front of you,” officials said.