State troopers from barracks in Bethany, Hartford and Westbrook are planning a tailgating enforcement effort next month that police have dubbed, "Stop Tailgating, You're Too Close."

In addition to overhead message boards on the highways announcing "Tailgating Enforcement Zones," police say violators of the state law that requires drivers to maintain a reasonable distance from other vehicles will face fines of $132.

Police said the effort will focus on limited access highways in the greater Hartford, New Haven, Meriden, Middletown and Old Saybrook areas — interstates 84, 91, 95, 691 and routes 8, 9 and 15.

Police said they consider tailgating aggressive driving behavior that leads to rear-end collisions and road rage. About 40 percent of all accidents within the state police central district area were caused by tailgaters, police said. Rear-end collisions are most frequent during weekday commute hours in clear weather and on dry roads.

Police said in addition to announcements on overhead message boards they plan to add troopers to enforce violations.

According to state law, "No driver shall follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the speed of such vehicle, the traffic, the condition of the highway, and weather conditions."