Tailgating or as it is called in New Jersey Following Too Closely under NJSA 39:4-89 is a serious offense and carries a fine of $85 or $140 if you are in a 65 MPH / Construction Zone.  The offense carries a five point penalty on your Driver's license.  Tailgating is a serious offense in New Jersey and aggressively enforced.  

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A safe following distance is considered to be a two second interval between cars on a dry roadway.  On a wet roadway a four to five second interval is considered a safe distance by the New Jersey State Police.  The NJSP has found that tailgating is an "intimidating irritating and potentially dangerous practice" that leads to "increased crashes and injuries".  The New Jersey State Police are using new Laser Enforcement Devices to determine the spacing between vehicles.  Are you an Aggressive Driver ?   Click here to take an Aggressive Driver Quiz and find out. 

The statute provides that Trucks are deemed to be tailgating when they are closer than 100 feet from the vehicle they are following.  The entire Statute reads as follows:

NJSA 39:4-89. Tailgating, Following; space between trucks

The driver of a vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard to the speed of the preceding vehicle and the traffic upon, and condition of, the highway.

The driver of a motor truck when traveling upon a highway, outside of a business or residence district, shall not follow another motor truck within one hundred feet, but this shall not be construed to prevent one motor truck overtaking and passing another.

On a lighter note tailgating at the Rutgers Football games is permitted and encouraged.  For the tailgating policy at the football games the click link for locations to Tailgate at RU Football Games