Police Departments Target Tailgaters  A number of police
departments across the country are trying out technology already
used in Europe to help catch drivers who follow too close to the
car in front of them. Officials believe it's time to crack down
on tailgating. Kristian Foden-Vencil of Oregon Public
Broadcasting reports.    Police forces are buying a new type of
laser gun to catch drivers who tailgate. This is a handheld
device and it works about the same as the lasers police use to
catch speeders. But new software means they can now figure out
how close two cars are to each other. So let's pull up close to
this report from Kristian Foden-Vencil of Oregon Public
Broadcasting.  KRISTIAN FODEN-VENCIL: It's the morning rush hour
on a highway overpass in Portland. Police officer Bret Barnum
points his laser gun at the traffic below. In less than 30
seconds a VW Beetle appears; he pulls the trigger and the device
fires a tiny red beam. Barnum reaches for his radio.  (Soundbite
of police radio)  Officer BRET BA