While rear end collisions tend to be more slow-moving, they take place often. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear end collisions account for more than 1 in 4 motor vehicle accidents. Furthermore, it is estimated that a rear end collision is reported approximately “every 20 seconds”. That said, these types of collisions can potentially be prevented if you are informed with some effective safety measures, which are listed below.
Nine Tips to Avoid Rear End Car Accidents
- Do Not Follow Other Vehicles Too Closely – Whether you are stopped at a traffic light, driving on the highway, or wherever you may be, do not get too close to the car in front of you. Today’s Collision Repair Center suggests that the more space you leave between you and the car in front of you, the more time you have to react to “sudden braking,” and simply more time to stop in general. Increasing the distance between your car and the car in front of you is a crucial safety measure that can make all the difference in preventing a rear end collision. One method to avoid getting too close to the vehicles in front of you is the three second rule. The rule is practiced by picking a stationary object that is up ahead on the side of the road such as a tree or a road sign. When the vehicle in front passes that object, then you start counting. If at least three seconds go by before you pass that object, then you are maintaining a safe distance. Some vehicles even have motion sensors that alert you if you are too close to any other vehicles or surrounding objects, so take advantage of this tool if you have it and don’t get too close!
- Do Not Speed – While speeding is never a good idea, it is especially unwise when in even moderate traffic. Driving too fast will stop you from breaking in a timely manner if the car in front of you were to suddenly slow down. Driving too fast also prevents you from safely controlling your vehicle.
- Brake Slowly – If you notice that you are approaching a stop sign, a red light, construction zone, etc., begin to brake at a reasonable time so that the vehicle behind you will have sufficient time to brake as well. Suddenly slamming on your brakes can create a recipe for disaster.
- Do Not Cut Other Drivers Off – Cutting other drivers off can lead to collisions in numerous ways, especially rear end collisions. While you may think you have adequate space to zoom ahead of that car, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If roles are reversed and someone cuts you off, stay calm and try to regain the correct distance between you and that car.
- Check Your Mirrors – Frequently checking your mirrors is something you should always remember to do while driving, especially for the sake of avoiding rear end collisions. You should always know the location of all surrounding vehicles. If you are preparing to stop in an odd place, like a wreck on an interstate, check your rearview mirrors for oncoming traffic. You may notice someone is going to fast and have time to get out of the way. This is especially true with semitrucks. If there is a sudden emergency situation semitrucks take much longer to stop, so trying to get out of their lane in a suddent stop situation could save your life.
- Avoid All Distractions – Avoiding distractions while driving is a critical component to avoid every type of collision. If you keep your focus on your driving, you are much more likely to notice the cars in front of you braking in a timely manner. According to the NHTSA, drivers whose focus were not on the roadway had “substantially longer brake response times compared to drivers whose visual focus was on the forward roadway.” They conclude that all forms of distracted driving easily lead to rear-end collisions.
- Check Your Brake Lights – What good are your brakes if they are non-functioning? They’re not. Your brakes are on your car to keep you and those around you safe. While it may seem like an exterior problem that doesn’t need immediate attention to fix, it absolutely does. Always ensure your brakes are properly functioning.
- Keep Road & Weather Conditions in Mind – Depending on the weather or conditions of the road, you may need to adjust the time you need to brake. If there is snow, ice, rain, etc. on the roadway, these circumstances will require braking sooner than you normally would. Hydroplaning or sliding on ice could much too easily result in a rear end collision.
- Be Vigilant of the Road Ahead – Always stay aware of the road ahead of you so that you can stop or slow down if necessary. If there is a crash, a construction zone, or whatever it may be, you need to slow down and stay alert.
Were You Injured in a Rear End Car Accident? Contact Us
Were you or a loved one injured in a rear end collision? When you are injured because of the negligence of another driver, you need an advocate who will represent your best interests and fight for what was taken. Leave the hard work to us while you focus on getting better and give us a call at 502-290-2397. You will receive a 100% free consultation with an attorney, and if we don’t recover anything for you, you don’t owe us anything.
Dixie Law Group, PSC – A Neighborhood Personal Injury Law Firm
