What YOU Need To Know About Rear End Collisions

Rear end contact with another vehicle is virtually 100% preventable, yet statistically it accounts for nearly 10% of all traffic collisions. There are many factors that contribute to rear end collisions, such as inattention and road and weather conditions. The main reason is FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE.

When driving we must be aware of the space around us and nowhere is this more evident than when we are following traffic. Some of us believe that because our brakes are in top condition, keeping them up to manufacturer’s requirements, or we have the latest technology such as an anti-lock braking system, that we will be able to stop in any situation. In fact, it is the “human factor” that is a major cause of problems on the road. Vehicles do not have minds of their own. They are driven into collisions.

To apply our brakes, we have to see a reason to do so. Often this is what we do when approaching stopped traffic, approaching a sign or signal requiring a brake application, or because ofchanges in light, weather or road conditions.

The normal situations where we know we must slow or stop are usually easy to determine. In rear-end collisions “normal” is usually replaced with the “unexpected”, especially when we are not giving our full attention to the job at hand. So, how do we deal with the “unexpected”,especially if the traffic ahead comes to a sudden halt?

First we must position our vehicle away from the traffic ahead with a reasonable space for any eventuality. What is reasonable? For most situations where weather, traffic, light and road conditions are good, we want to be 3 seconds behind the vehicle ahead. Pick a landmark on the highway or road ahead, such as a road sign, power pole, driveway, overpass, parked car, etc. Begin to count when the vehicle you are following reaches that point: one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three. When your vehicle reaches that landmark, stop counting. If you havereached the landmark before you said “one thousand three”,you are following too close to the vehicle in front of you.

There are some exceptions to this rule. Although the 3-second rule is sufficient for most driving situations it is important to allow more distance on slippery roads, when visibility is reduced in fog, rain, snow, etc., or if you are carrying a heavy load or when following large commercial vehicles that block your view of the road ahead. How much allowance should you give in these situations? There is no set rule; just be sure to add more seconds for that extra cushion of space.

Another exception is the length of the vehicle you are driving. The 3-second rule is applicable to a car. If the vehicle you are driving is longer or heavier, such as an SUV, truck or travel trailer, then you must add extra seconds. How many?

Add one extra second for every 3 meters or 10 feet of additional length. If you were pulling an 8-meter (24 foot) trailer with your car, you would count 3 seconds for your car, and an additional 3 seconds for your trailer (8 meters trailer length divided by 3 secs. = 2.9; round out to the next full second - 3) for a total of 6 seconds following distance. These additional seconds will help compensate for the extra mass that your car’s brakes are required to handle in an emergency braking manoeuvre. Remember your vehicle’s brakes were designed to stop only your vehicle (driver only, no passengers or cargo) in a certain distance according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, that didn’t include the additional weight you are towing.

If you are being tailgated by another vehicle, take their 3 seconds, which they should have left behind you and didn’t, and add it to the 3 seconds you have already left between you and the vehicle ahead, for a total of 6 seconds. Why? You are a sandwich between two vehicles. Your car’s brakes were designed to stop you within a certain distance, but that design was for your vehicle only. If you don’t leave that additional space cushion with the vehicle ahead, in this scenario, once you apply your brakes, the vehicle behind will be into your chassis. Now you need to stop the mass of two vehicles from striking the vehicle ahead! It can’t be done!

One other exception to the 3-second rule is when you are following a motorcycle. Motorcycles are designed to stop more quickly than cars. So when following motorcycles leave a couple more seconds, 5 or 6 seconds, between you and them. If for any reason a motorcycle has to stop quickly, the driver may have to lay the bike down. If you can’t get stopped, as a biker you are as vulnerable as a pedestrian.

While we are on the subject of space, whenever you are stopped in traffic remember to leave a cushion of space between you and the vehicle ahead. How much space? For cars, vans, pickup trucks, SUVs, etc., if you can see the tires of the vehicle ahead touching the road, we consider that a good cushion of space. Why would you want to do that? If you are stopped in traffic and a vehicle rear-ends your vehicle and you are driven into the vehicle ahead, the person who rear-ended you pays for your rear-end damage. Even though the person behind caused you to go into the vehicle in front, you still pay for the damage to the vehicle in front, so stay back.

The 3-second rule is one of the easiest tips to use while driving because it works at any speed. You don’t have to make any adjustments as your speed increases or decreases. Whether you are travelling 20 km/h, 50 km/h or 110 km/h the 3-second rule applies. The faster you go, the greater the distance between you and the vehicle ahead.

(For commercial drivers we use a different rule. When stopped behind traffic, we leave enough space so that if the vehicle in front stalled or otherwise could not proceed, we will be able to go around that vehicle, in a forward motion, on either side, without having to back up.)

If you are operating a vehicle for a company and you rear end the vehicle in front, the company will consider it a Preventable Collision for one or more of the following reasons:

1/ Failure to maintain a safe following distance.

2/ Failure to have your vehicle under control at all times.

3/ Failure to notice changing traffic conditions and not slowing down.

4/ Misjudging the rate of distance when overtaking a vehicle.

5/ Positioned too close before beginning a passing manoeuvre.

6/ Failure to leave sufficient space when traffic ahead is starting up.

Pile-ups or chain reaction collisions, where the trailing vehicles pile into the back of the leading vehicles in succession, happenwhen the collective braking process breaks down. This stacking effect can be avoided by including as many vehicles as possible in your field of vision as you scan the highway 3 and 4 vehicles beyond the vehicle ahead.

If you notice that the 3 or 4 vehicles in front of you have activated the brake lights, start braking gently. This will prevent you from stacking, as each car will need to brake sooner to avoid the chain reaction. Early braking will also alert trailing vehicles to the potential danger and afford you some control over the sequence of events. This technique works great in rush hour traffic!

Remember it is a violation of the Motor Vehicle Act to follow too close. You can holler till the cows come home but you will be held liable for any rear end damage you inflict.

TIPS FROM THE PROS

STRANGERS –get to know them before driving them.

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When was the last time you looked at your owner’s manual? If you want to be in the company of the Professional Driver or at least consider yourself a good driver, you will learn everything there is about your vehicle before operating it.

If you have acquired a new or different vehicle, drive it home and take out the owner’s manual. Bring it into the house and read it from cover to cover. Once you have done that, then sit in the driver’s seat, start at the beginning and read each page carefully. Don’t turn the page until you understand the subject or have located the controls.

Airline pilots are trained to learn the characteristics of the varied equipment they operate during their careers. Vehicle characteristics, controls, new designs, innovations, options and technologies are incorporated into each new model year. Professional drivers will thoroughly understand these intricacies and operate their vehicle correctly.

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In our next article we will talk about “a belt for the road” - one that is recommended.

Wayne Loftus