What exactly do these following driving violations mean? I'm not a driver, so I'm not entirely sure of their meanings...

-Following too closely [does that count if a car crashes into another?]
-Reckless driving [does that count if a car crashes into another?]
-Inadequate brakes [what if a car was speeding and couldn't brake/stop in time, so it crashed into another car? Does that count?]

This is actually for a physics problem, but we have to apply real-world laws to it.
Thanks in advance! =)

Sure! I'd be happy to explain the meanings of these driving violations and the scenarios you're asking about.

1. Following too closely: This violation, also known as "tailgating," refers to a driver who is driving too closely behind the vehicle in front of them. Typically, traffic laws require drivers to maintain a safe distance or a reasonable interval between their vehicle and the one ahead. If a car crashes into another due to following too closely, the driver who was tailgating is often considered at fault. The reason is that if you are following too closely, you may not have enough time to react and stop in case the car in front slows down or stops suddenly.

2. Reckless driving: Reckless driving generally refers to operating a vehicle in a manner that exhibits a willful disregard for the safety of others. It can include various dangerous behaviors such as excessive speeding, aggressive driving, running red lights, or weaving through traffic. If a car crashes into another due to reckless driving, it is typically considered the fault of the driver who was driving recklessly. The fact that the crash occurred would support the claim of reckless driving as it demonstrates disregard for the safety of others.

3. Inadequate brakes: This refers to a situation where the brakes of a vehicle are not in proper working order or are not capable of stopping the vehicle effectively. If a car was speeding and couldn't brake or stop in time, resulting in a crash, the driver can still be held responsible for inadequate brakes. The idea is that if a driver is aware that their brakes are not functioning properly or cannot bring the vehicle to a stop within a reasonable distance, they should not be driving the car until the issue is resolved. Thus, in such a scenario, the speeding car's driver may be held responsible for the crash.

In these scenarios, the specific circumstances of the crash and any relevant local traffic laws and regulations would need to be considered to determine fault and liability accurately.