Rear-end collisions, where one vehicle collides with the back of another, are almost alarmingly common.
In fact, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports there are as many as two million of these accidents every single year.
If you are traveling to the Aloha State, you may have to drive on unfamiliar roadways. To boost your chances of avoiding a rear-end collision, you should understand why this type of accident typically occurs.
So, what is the cause of most rear-end collisions? Most rear-end crashes happen for just four simple reasons. The most common cause of rear-end collisions is distracted driving. Following too closely (tailgating) and speeding are also major contributors. Read to learn what causes most rear-end accidents.
1. Tailgating
Rear-end collisions on highways are common because many drivers tailgate, reducing the time needed to react and stop safely.
Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles can help prevent these accidents. If you are behind another vehicle, you should apply the three-second rule. To do so, find a stationary object beside the road.
Then, have a passenger check the time when both your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you pass the object. If the span is at least three seconds, you are probably not following too closely.
2. Speeding
No vehicle can stop on a dime. Still, the faster your car travels, the greater your stopping distance is likely to be. Therefore, to reduce your odds of having a rear-end collision, you should always maintain a reasonable speed.
Adhering to posted speed limit signs is a good approach. Nonetheless, during inclement weather or heavy traffic, you may need to drive even slower.
3. Distracted driving
The NHTSA reports that distracted driving is the leading cause of rear-end collisions, responsible for 87% of cases. Other negligent driving behaviors contributing to these accidents include failing to maintain a safe following distance. Like with many other states, Hawaii law prohibits distracted driving. Unfortunately, though, many motorists continue to pay insufficient attention to the driving task. While putting away your smartphone until you reach your destination is usually a good idea, you should be aware of other types of driving distractions.
These include the following:
- Mental distractions ,
- Auditory distractions,
- Visual distractions, or
- Manual distractions.
4. Driver impairment
Hawaii has thousands of places to enjoy a beer or cocktail. If motorists have a blood alcohol concentration above the state’s 0.08% legal limit, though, they may inadvertently drive into the back of another vehicle. The same is true if drivers lack sufficient rest.
While impaired driving is potentially criminal conduct, it can also put others in extreme danger. To stay safe on your dream vacation, committing to responsible driving is key.
Involved In A Rear-End Accident? Contact Our Car Accident Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a rear-end collision, contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to evaluate your case.
Our lawyers handle all personal injury claims on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing until we recover for you. We also offer free initial consultations, call today.
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