Nobody wants to get into a car accident. Maybe you just have a minor fender dent. Even in this case, you could injure yourself or someone else. Minor car accidents can even increase your insurance rates.
In the following article, we will speak about rear-end collisions. It’s probably the most common varieties of accidents. We’ll define rear-end collisions, and we’ll also discuss ways to potentially avoid them.
What is Rear End Collision?
When someone hits your car’s rear bumper with their front bumper, it is a rear-end collision. There are about 1.7 million rear collisions annually. That’s a lot, and the numbers are sure to catch your eye.
A rear-end collision can occur in many situations. For example, they can occur during inclement weather or on a really sunny day, with no clouds in the sky. You might get into a rear-end crash while in heavy traffic otherwise you’re on your block just feet from your house.
Now, let’s speak about a few other ways you can potentially avoid rear-end collisions.
You Can Avoid Driving in Bad Weather
If you can avoid driving in bad weather anytime possible, you can even stop rear-end collisions, not to mention other types of car accidents. Bad weather can include snow, rain, sleet, sleet, ice, etc.
It might be raining or snowing while you are trying to drive, or there might be snow and ice on the ground, so you could lose control of the vehicle if you are not careful.
If you need to drive someplace in bad weather, you can turn on your headlights and drive slower than usual. You might avoid a rear-end collision that way. Maybe you must go to work or come home from work, and you feel like you cannot take the day off.
If you can maybe work at homeHowever, try this rather than driving. If you need to buy groceries or something like that, hold off if you can. Only drive around in bad weather if you feel you haven’t any other choice.
You Can Drive Slower
You should not be speeding, irrespective of the weather. If you stick to the speed limit, you can stop more easily if someone in front of you happens to hit the brakes.
You do not want to cause a rear-end collision, or your insurance will must cover it. If you tell your insurance company that you exceeded the speed limit when you hit the car in front of you, they will likely increase your rate.
Also, you might injure someone in the car in front of you. If you do, your insurance should pay for it, but it may not cover all damages. Maybe you hurt the person so much that they have not been able to return to work for months or even years.
If so, You may face potentially devastating lawsuits. You can avoid all of this easily if you drive with the speed limit. You may not reach your destination as quickly, but you keep yourself and those around you safer.
You Can Avoid Looking at Your Phone
Looking at the phone or trying to use it at all times causes rear-end crashes. Maybe you have seen a smartphone causing an accident or approximately causing one.
The use of smartphones is increasing, and very few people do not have it anymore. Smartphone addiction even happens. However, if you are on the go, there is no reason to use your phone right away.
You can avoid texting or talking on the phone until you arrive at your destination. If you must use your cellular phone, pull over to the side of the road or into a parking area to do so.
Some cars let you talk to someone on a cellular phone hands-free. It’s better than trying to hold onto the phone, but even then it is unsafe.
To avoid a rear-end collision, wait until you reach your destination or away from traffic to use your phone. No matter what message you try to send or the conversation you want to have, there isn’t any point in endangering yourself and those around you.
You Can Keep Your Eyes Consistently on the Road
Distracted driving causes more rear-end crashes than almost anything else. Many things can distract you, and you must understand them before starting your car engine.
For example, maybe you have an thrilling conversation between you and the person next to you. Maybe you are having an argument, and take your eyes off the road.
If that happens, you could easily cause a rear-end crash. Maybe you saw a billboard and tried to read it. It can even cause accidents.
You might even see another crash, and you see it when you hit the car in front of you. When you keep your eyes on the road it makes the chances of these accidents much less likely.
You Can Avoid Tailgating Someone
You can even avoid rear-end collisions by never tailing anyone. Tailgating means you drive a bumper car with your own. You can do it on the street, but it is more common on the highway.
You may feel that the driver in front of you is driving very slowly. You do not have to follow them to try and get their attention.
You can get into the passing lanes and pass them when the opportunity arises. You haven’t any idea why someone is driving slowly, so do not honk or follow them. They may not see very well, or perhaps they’re older and no longer drive confidently.
If you avoid following other drivers, that’s yet another thing that reduces the likelihood of a rear-end crash. You should be at least a car full behind someone unless there is no way to avoid approaching them.
Now you know what driving behaviors to avoid to keep yourself safe. You most likely will not cause a costly or damaging rear-end crash if you keep away from the activities we have listed.