Following too close? North Bay police launch traffic crackdown

North Bay police launch enforcement blitz after the city saw 85 rear-end collisions in 92 days.

The North Bay Police Service’s traffic unit preparing an enforcement blitz against drivers following too close, citing new data that shows 85 rear-end collisions occurred in the city over a recent 92-day period.

From Nov. 1, 2025, to Jan. 31, 2026, police recorded 85 rear-end collisions on North Bay roads, according to figures released by the service last week.

“Our traffic unit is stepping up enforcement on drivers who follow too closely, a leading cause of preventable collisions,” the police service said in a social media post.

Police said most collisions in the city can be avoided when drivers take specific precautions:

• Respect the speed limit,
• avoid using cellphones while driving and
• leave enough space to anticipate, react, and stop – especially on slippery roads.

The enforcement initiative targets drivers who violate section 158(1) of the Highway Traffic Act, which requires drivers not to follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent.

Officers consider several factors when determining whether a driver is following too closely, such as:

• speed, traffic and road conditions
• visibility and hazards
• vehicle type, tires, brakes and aggressive driving
• the chance of a collision if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly

North Bay police offered motorists a simple tip to maintain safe following distances: the vehicle ahead should be able to see your headlights in their mirrors.

For passenger vehicle drivers caught tailgating, penalties include a $110 fine and four demerit points. Fines increase to $150 in community safety zones.

Commercial vehicles traveling over 60 km/h must maintain at least 60 metres behind another vehicle unless passing.

Fines and demerit points for commercial drivers are the same as for passenger vehicles.