It’s a fear that many people have: a rear-end crash caused by a driver who isn’t paying attention. Rear-end collisions can happen anywhere. You might be stopped at a stop sign in a neighborhood, waiting at a traffic light at a busy intersection or delayed by slowed traffic on the interstate. Regardless of your location, if the driver behind you is moving too quickly or doesn’t stop in time, you can become the victim of a rear-end collision.
As a driver who doesn’t want to get hit by other vehicles, you may be wondering if there are steps you can take to avoid being injured by a distracted or reckless driver. In terms of a rear-end collision, you can take certain actions to potentially lessen the severity of a crash or avoid one altogether.
The impending crash: What you can do if you see someone traveling toward you
Sometimes, people are fortunate enough to see the other driver approaching too quickly. That gives them a few seconds to make a decision about the steps to take to avoid a crash. You may be able to alert the other driver to your presence by honking your horn or flashing your lights.
If you are in the position to move quickly into another lane (or otherwise out of the way) without putting others in danger, that could be one evasive maneuver to try. Most people won’t have the time to change lanes safely, but if you do, it could help you avoid catastrophe.
Look for the signs of dangerous driving
Another thing to keep in mind is that those who cause rear-end crashes tend to do so after making other mistakes. Did you notice a driver weaving in and out of their lane or blowing through a light or stop sign? Did you see them looking at their phone?
If so, you should do your best to keep distance between your vehicle and theirs and try not to put yourself in a position where they’re able to collide with your vehicle due to their reckless behavior. You can go as far as to call the police to alert them, so they can at least check that the driver is healthy and not intoxicated or affected by an illness.
It can be hard to avoid a rear-end collision, but if you stay focused on your surroundings, you’ll have a better chance of doing so.