It’s better to be the “collidee” than the “collider” in a rear-end collision. Well, actually, it’s best to avoid rear-end collisions altogether but sometimes they’re unavoidable. Accurate Auto empowers our driving customers with preventative maintenance and automotive repair services to ensure their cars, trucks, and SUVs stay safe on the road. You can also stay safe by knowing what causes rear-end collisions. This helps you avoid them by taking the extra precautions necessary to protect you and your passengers.
Traffic Jams
Rear-end collisions happen in traffic because everyone is frustrated. Couple this with too many vehicles too close together and you’re bound to have a fender-bender. Stay back from the vehicle in front of you, even though it’s slow-going. The driver in front of you could be too tight against the vehicle in front of him or her, and you’re bound to hit him or her if he or she slams on the brakes.
Driving Distractions
Distracted driving isn’t only a common cause of rear-end collisions; it’s a common cause of all collisions. We have way too many distractions these days, including our cell phones and vehicle onboard smart systems. Keep your eyes and focus on the road and off your phone and center console display. Otherwise, you may hit the person in front of you because you weren’t paying attention.
Driving Too Fast
Speeding and/or reckless driving also cause rear-end collisions. Tailgating is reckless driving. Tailgating because you’re driving with road rage is even worse. Leave in plenty of time to get where you’re going so you don’t have to speed, lane weave, or otherwise drive carelessly. Keep your cool, too, because if you’re raging and the person in front rages and slams on the brakes… well, you know what will happen.
Driving While Impaired
We don’t just mean drunk-driving, although drunk-driving does cause rear-end collisions. We also mean driving when you’re too tired to drive or impaired by prescription or recreational drugs. You might think you’re in control of your reflexes and driving, but studies show that people who drive when they’re sleep-deprived and exhausted drive as if they’ve had too much to drink.
Automotive Issues
Finally, if you don’t take care of your automobile it just might cause you to be in a rear-end collision. For example, a brake system that has been ignored will eventually fail and you might find yourself hitting the person in front of you because you couldn’t stop in time. You may also be the victim of a rear-end collision if you stall at a stop and the driver behind you goes on the green light.
You can avoid the fifth cause of rear-end collisions by bringing your vehicle into Accurate Auto for preventative maintenance. We have three shops in Oregon in Beaverton, Oswego, and Hillsboro.