Hays Post reportedly recently on a rear-end accident which resulted in two Kansas adults being hospitalized. The incident occurred when the driver of a Chevy pickup truck had to brake sharply as he approached heavy traffic. A motorcycle rider behind the truck hit the brakes, but a driver in a Ford Focus couldn’t stop in time. The Ford pushed the motorcycle into the back of the truck. Three individuals were injured due to the crash, and the driver of the Focus was cited for following too closely.
Unfortunately, accidents in which drivers are tailgating are very common. Drivers need to leave enough space between their car and a lead vehicle to prevent rear-end accidents. There are also some other things drivers need to do to reduce the chances they will become involved in a rear-end collision.
How to Avoid a Rear-End Accident
Drivers can determine an appropriate following distance based on current conditions on the road. In general, drivers should have a following distance measured as three to four seconds. This distance is measured by counting the number of seconds between the time the front car passes a fixed point and the time the car behind him passes the same point. If there are slippery roads or if the weather is bad on a particular day and visibility is affected, drivers may need to leave a longer following distance so they can feel more confident in being able to stop in time.
Leaving a long enough following distance is just one of many rear-end crash prevention tips that motorists should know. Drivers also have to be careful not to speed. Going too fast increases the momentum of a vehicle and causes the car to have a longer stopping distance. The high-speed car could end up being unable to stop or slow down in time to react to something the car in front of him does.
Drivers also need to pay careful attention at all times. Motorists should scan the road ahead of them to identify possible obstacles early on so they do not have to hit their brakes at the last minute. When a driver stops suddenly, this increases the chance he will be hit from behind. Drivers should not use cell phones or other devices which cause them to be distracted from the road ahead of them, and motorists should also make sure they do not drive while they are too tired or while they are intoxicated. A driver who is drunk or who is tired will not be as focused on the road as he should be and is more likely to strike another vehicle from the rear.
If motorists follow these safety tips and make cautious choices while operating their vehicles, hopefully rear-end accident rates can decline and motorists will all be safer on the roads.
