A rear-end collision is when a driver following behind another driver fails to stop in time slamming into the vehicle in front of them.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that 28% of crashes are a rear-end collision.
So how is it possible to avoid a rear-end collision. Continue reading to find out all the possible ways to avoid them.
What You Should Know To Prevent A Rear-End Accident
Tailgating
Driving too closely behind another vehicle is the leading cause of rear-end collisions (Tailgating). It is recommended to keep a reasonable following distance so you can safely stop in case the vehicle in front of you suddenly stops. Therefore, you should try to maintain one car length for every ten miles an hour behind.
A Driver is tailgating you
If the vehicle behind you is following you to closely, give yourself extra distance behind the traffic in front of you so that you won’t need to stop suddenly, then let the tailgater pass you as soon as you safely can.
Never zoom up to a traffic light or stop sign
Always slow down gradually when coming to a traffic light or stop sign, this will prepare the vehicle behind you to also slow down gradually. If you speed up to a red light or stop sign and then brake hard, the driver behind you may not stop in time. Plus leave at least two car lengths between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Make sure your brake lights are working
As drivers, we are all responsible for making our intentions known to other drivers. That’s where brake lights come in, to make the other driver following behind us aware that we are going to stop our vehicle.
If the brake lights are not working, the driver behind us will not know the vehicle is going to stop and may not have enough time to stop causing a rear-end collision.
Don’t be distracted, Focus on driving
Distracted driving is another main cause of rear-end collisions. Keep your eyes on the road, and you’re more likely to notice the vehicles brake lights go on in front of you, the vehicle making a lane shift, or the driver who doesn’t see you.
Driving too fast
A motorist who is driving too fast won’t be able to stop their vehicle quickly enough to avoid hitting the backend of the car in front of them if it must stop suddenly. Obeying the speed limit while maintaining a safe following distance are the most reliable ways to prevent a rear-end accident.
Weather conditions
Snow, fog, pouring rain, winds, and other kinds of dangerous weather make it considerably more dangerous to be out on the roads. Drivers have got to slow down and drive according to the weather conditions, so they don’t slam into the vehicle in front of them because of weather conditions.
Driving behind large vehicles
When driving behind a large vehicle that you can’t see in front of, always leave enough space between you and the truck to see around it.
Tailgating a truck, or any vehicle is dangerous because you take away your safety.
Same goes for busses. You’ll want to increase your following distance to get a better view. When driving behind a school bus, always be prepared to stop often.
