Following Distance Plays Key Role in Rear End Collisions; Lane Choice Does Too.

Analysts in DriveCam’s Risk InfoCenter™ reviewed incidences of rear end crashes to determine the impact of following distance on likelihood of collision. Analysis also identified steps drivers can take to lessen their risk of being involved in rear end crashes. With over 7 million events, Risk InfoCenter by DriveCam is the largest knowledgebase in the world to provide insight into risky driving based on actual driving behavior.

Rear end crashes are the second most common claim for most fleet operators (Risk Management News, Volume 1, Issue 2), regardless of industry. They make up 17 percent of all claims and cost over $13,000 per claim. Although recommended following distances can vary by weight and size of vehicle, most nationally recognized driver training programs advocate a minimum following distance of three or four seconds. DriveCam categorized the incidents it reviewed into two groups – those in which a subject vehicle’s following distance was less than two seconds and those for which following distance was two seconds or more.

“There is no greater risk of being struck from the rear when the subject vehicle is maintaining less than two seconds than having greater than two seconds following distance,” explained Del Lisk, DriveCam vice president, safety services. However, the story is different when it comes to the subject vehicle rear ending the vehicle ahead. “Incidents involving the subject rear ending the lead vehicle where the subject vehicle had less than two seconds of following distance was almost three times as common as those where the driver was maintaining a distance of two seconds or greater.”

The study also showed that a large number of rear end crashes involve a change in speed by the lead vehicle or an interruption to the flow of traffic in the lane. In fact, more rear end crashes happen in the farthest right lane than other lanes when on city streets. The right lane has pedestrians, parked cars and turning vehicles that are constantly disturbing traffic flow. Following this same logic, the left most lane was next most frequent since this lane can be impacted by traffic slowing or stopping to make a left turn. The center lane had far fewer incidents of rear end crashes. “This is partially due to the fact that more of the roads had only one or two lanes of same direction traffic,” explained Lisk. “However, it may also be due to the fact that the center lane has fewer traffic flow disturbances.”

Tips for avoiding rear end crashes:

• When possible, avoid the far right and left lanes, except when preparing to turn; drive in the center lane as much as possible (except where prohibited by state and local laws).
• Maintain the proper following distance appropriate for the weight and size of the vehicle being driven.
• Try to maintain a steady speed to reduce sudden stops and starts; this will also assist with fuel efficiency.

A Million Reasons to Drive Safely

Sharing our roads with our country’s future, namely, school kids means it’s important that everyone be even more aware of safe driving.

The number one cause of death and injury for youngsters less than 5 years of age are traffic collisions. Making the roads even riskier, is the increased number of bicyclists and motorcyclists looking for a way to save gasoline. And this year, in response to higher fuel costs, more school districts are reducing or eliminating bus transportation for students. This adds to the number of students walking or biking to school. Nothing could create a more challenging safety environment for everyone on the road.

One-fifth of all children 14 years of age and younger who die in motor vehicle crashes are pedestrians, according to NHTSA. These pedestrian fatalities are more likely to happen in the afternoon hours, when school is letting out. Please be sure to:

• Always stop for school buses loading or unloading students
• Drive slowly in and around schools and residential areas
• Don’t be distracted by cell phones, eating, changing the radio, etc.
• Obey speed limits within school zones
• Come to a complete stop at all intersections
• Look left-right-left at all intersections
• Scan between parked cars since children often dart into the street – particularly near school zones, playgrounds, bus stops and in neighborhoods

In addition to children walking to school, this is the time of year for new teenage drivers to begin driving to school. Their skills (already at risk) are challenged by wet and icy weather – potentially the first time they’ve driven in this type of weather. Inexperienced drivers facing slippery roads can make costly mistakes. According to NHTSA, nearly one million vehicle accidents a year happen in wet weather.
Once school starts, don’t let up your guard. Continue to drive carefully no matter what time of year or time of day.