3 Ways to Prevent Rear End Collisions

/ Driving Tips, FrontLane, Impulse / By

3 Ways to Prevent Rear End Collisions

Safety is a top priority for all drivers. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and they can cause serious injuries or fatalities. One of the most frequent types of accidents is rear-end collisions, accounting for 29% of all accidents. While rear-end collisions are not limited to any specific group, they are especially common among teen drivers, elderly drivers, commuters, and Uber drivers.To reduce your chance of becoming a part of these statistics, follow these 3 tips to avoid rear-end collisions:

Stay Focused on Driving and Aware of your Surroundings 

When you are behind the wheel, all of your attention should be on the road (not your phone, the radio, or other passengers). Pay attention to the whole road ahead of you, not just the car in front of you. If you see brake lights up ahead, reduce your speed gradually. There is always a chance that the car in front of you is distracted and will have to slam on its brakes -causing a rear end collision.  It is for this reason that maintaining a safe following distance is important. If you don’t give yourself enough space to react to slowing or stopping traffic, you are putting yourself in a position to be involved in a rear end collision. 

In addition to monitoring the road in front of you, you should also be aware of the road behind you to avoid potential rear end collisions. Drivers should check their mirrors every 5 to 8 seconds in addition to whenever they are reducing speed or stopping to make sure the cars behind you are braking appropriately. While paying attention to your surroundings, it is also important to prepare for the worst-case scenario – such as a rear end collision. Whenever you come to a stop, look for a part of the road you can go to if the car behind you fails to brake and charges your vehicle. A left-turn lane, median, sidewalk or anywhere else you can safely navigate to will become your escape route. It may be necessary to move your vehicle out of the way if the car behind you fails to brake in time.

Service Your Car Regularly 
If your car isn’t functioning properly, you are putting yourself and others in danger of a rear end collision  in the event your car malfunctions. In addition to regularly scheduled maintenance, you should check your brakes, tires, and suspension annually to ensure they are in working order. Your car needs all three of these key systems to brake properly. Keeping your car in working order also means the smaller components, like light bulbs. A burnt-out tail light won’t signal following cars that you are braking, once they realize you are, they may not have enough time to stop, resulting in a rear end collision. You can check your tail light by having a family member inspect them or at a storefront window where you can see your car’s reflection. If you notice that your tail light is out, be sure to replace it before hitting the roads!

Drive Predictably
Predictability is important when driving. Use your turn signals to notify other drivers whenever you change lanes or turn. When stopping at a traffic light or stop sign, avoid slamming on your brakes (increasing your chance of a rear end collision) by braking slowly and gradually. On highways, make sure you drive with the flow of traffic to prevent other drivers from braking hard when they reach you on the road, or to prevent you from rapidly approaching another slower vehicle. In the event of an unavoidable hard-braking situation, a collision prevention system like Impulse or Tailbone can alert other drivers and help them improve their reaction time. This technology senses hard braking situations and ultra-bright, pulsing LEDs capture the attention of other drivers, giving them more time to brake. When other drivers can anticipate your course, they can plan their route accordingly and avoid a rear end collision scenario. 

Always prioritize safety and use good judgment when driving. While you can’t control other drivers on the road, you can follow these tips to avoid a rear-end collision. Remember, safety first. Always.