The most common kind of car accidents are rear-ended collisions. They’re caused for a wide variety of reasons. From distracted drivers to tailgating, even poor road conditions or aggressive driving, being the victim of a rear-end collision can leave you susceptible to many injuries, which could result in you being out of work whilst you recover and unable to support your family.
The consequences after a rear-end collision can be severe, so do you know how to prevent being involved in a rear-end collision? Here we’ll take a look at some simple tips to keep you and your family safe on the road.
Increase your distance
Simply put, the more space between you and the car in front, the more time you have to react. If the car in front suddenly brakes, then you’ll have a chance to brake safely, before you go into the back of them.
Don’t drive whilst distracted
It’s so easy to be distracted behind the wheel these days. Whether it’s your smartphone bleeping or ringing, your kids arguing on the backseat, or you’re trying to find the right song on your playlist, driving whilst distracted means you’re more likely to drive into the back of someone and cause an accident. Therefore, always keep your eyes on the road ahead and remove as many distractions from your vehicle as possible.
Make sure you’re visible
Unless your brake lights are working, the car behind you won’t be able to tell if you’re braking. Therefore, before you head out on any journey, you should conduct a maintenance check to ensure that they’re working correctly.
Be mindful of the weather conditions
Is it raining? High winds? Snow and ice? Or is the sun shining so brightly it might affect your ability to see ahead? You must adjust your driving habits to match the weather conditions around you. Whether that’s increasing your distance even further during snow and ice, reducing your speed when it’s raining or wearing sunglasses during the summer months.
Keep looking ahead
If you’re following a line of traffic, it’s important that you not only look around you but also keep your eyes on what’s happening ahead of you. Be on the lookout for cars ahead braking, that way you can brake gently, reducing the likelihood of a rear-ended collision.
Don’t speed up unnecessarily
It’s tempting to increase your speed when you want to get through a light before it turns red. However, if you don’t make it, you’ll have to brake suddenly, potentially causing the driver behind to go into the back of you.
Leave a Reply