Teenage Drivers Can Avoid Rear End Collisions
Use Defensive Driving Skills & Pay Attention to Changing Conditions
Oct 8, 2009
Young drivers typically have faster reflexes, but often don't pay enough attention to the continually changing driving scene around them. Add immaturity to inexperience and the driving situation becomes far from ideal. One of the most common driver errors is the rear-end collision where a driver following too closely hits the car ahead when it stops suddenly. Defensive drivers increase the following distance to 3 seconds or more even under the best driving conditions.
What are Ideal Driving Conditions?
The National Safety Council website offers the page "Young Driver" and gives the following statistics: "In 2007, 7,650 people were killed in crashes involving young drivers between the ages of 15 and 20. According to the latest 2005 mortality figures from the National Center for Health Statistics, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15 and 20."
When is a driving situation ever ideal? There is no such thing as an "ideal driving condition". Drivers must allow for sudden and/or unexpected events even under the best of circumstances. Teens can avoid rear end collisions by paying close attention to driving conditions, driving defensively, and by eliminating as many distractions as possible.
Conditions and Hazards that Cause a Rear End Collision
According to the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM), on the page "Crash Statistics 2007" (no author, 2009), the chart provided on the page shows rear end crashes in the U.S. for all ages accounted for 485,000 injuries and 2,093 deaths.
What hazards increase a young driver's chances of causing a rear end collision with the vehicle ahead?
- Following too close, (Aka tailgating) A driver should allow at least 3 seconds (not 2) between his car and the car ahead. Adding seconds means an additional safety margin.
- Not getting the "big picture" by looking beyond the car ahead to assess potential problems that might lead to sudden stops.
- Not anticipating the driver ahead might stop suddenly, whether there is an obvious reason or not.
- Distractions such as talking/listening to passengers, insects, cell phone, eating, reading a map or trying to do homework, to name a few distracting situations.
- Drinking alcohol and/or getting high on legal drugs or illegal drugs.
- Fatigue. Teens rarely get enough sleep, causing driver impairment.
- Speeding. Driving too fast for conditions makes it impossible to stop in time.
- Jackrabbit starts. The driver takes off the instant the light changes and risks running into the car ahead.
- False start. Merging onto a busy highway, the driver ahead starts to merge into traffic but decides he can't make it and slows or stops. Meanwhile, the driver behind is moving forward – while looking back and gauging the highway traffic – and notices too late the driver that was ahead of him is still there. The result is a rear end collision.
- Weather conditions. Obviously inclement weather such as rain increases the chances for skidding, hydroplaning, and rear-end motor vehicle accidents, but good weather can cause problems, too. Blinding glare from the sun is just one example.
- Seasonal events. Black Friday shopping, midnight madness sales, a big game in town, spring break and heading back to school are but a few seasonal distractions that can result in inattention to the road – and literally not seeing the vehicle ahead.
- Unfamiliar territory. Driving while looking for a house number or business location can take a driver's attention off the road and what's ahead.
- Impatience. The driver ahead may not start up immediately from a traffic light or stop sign because he sees a hazard that's not visible to drivers behind. Drivers behind who inch forward risk rear end collisions and risk being rear-ended themselves.
- Dirty windshield. Mud on the windshield or suddenly getting splashed by an oncoming vehicle in heavy rain can cause poor visibility or blind a driver so that he doesn't see a car stopping ahead. A dirty windshield on the inside from smoking (film), dust, or condensation can distort vision, as well.
- Rubber-necking. Drivers slow down and get so distracted when trying to see what's going on with an accident that they sometimes forget what's ahead – including a car that might have stopped.
Teen drivers can help decrease the number of rear end traffic accidents by allowing more than the traditional two-second following distance parents and older drivers have used for decades. The difference between having a safe trip and having a collision may be in those one or two added seconds.
While traveling, be sure to practice defensive driving techniques. Remember, there are no ideal driving conditions; the scene is constantly changing. Teens want to be noticed for the good they can do – driving responsibly is a great place to start.
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