(1) The operator of a vehicle:

1. (a) may not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the:

   1. (i) speed of the vehicles;
   2. (ii) traffic upon the highway; and
   3. (iii) condition of the highway; and
2. (b) shall follow at a distance so that at least two seconds elapse before reaching the location of the vehicle directly in front of the operator's vehicle.

(2) Subsection (1)(b) does not apply to:

1. (a) funeral processions or to congested traffic conditions resulting in prevailing vehicle speeds of less than 35 miles per hour; or

2. (b) a connected vehicle technology testing program that uses networked wireless communication among vehicles, infrastructure, or communication devices that is:

   1. (i) approved by the Department of Transportation in consultation with the Department of Public Safety; and
   2. (ii) conducted outside of an urbanized boundary as defined by the United States Census Bureau.