subject: Top 10 Ways To Prevent A Whiplash Injury [print this page] Top 10 ways to avoid being hit from behind by another vehicle include:
1.Look as far as possible up the road and be aware of traffic stopping in the distance. This way you can give plenty of warning to the car behind that you are going to stop. This will also minimise the risk of drivers behind you panicking, braking too late and plowing into the back of you.
2.Check your mirrors often when slowing or stopping. When coming to a stop at a traffic light or junction, always check your rear-view mirror to be sure vehicles behind you are stopping. You can never tell if the driver behind is distracted just as the vehicles in front of you are stopping.
3.Stay as focused as possible on your driving. There may not have been any vehicles behind you when you stopped in the first place, but they could be speeding up behind you as you sit and wait. It is not inconceivable that one of those drivers has been distracted by a mobile phone. Leave an escape route where possible and you can avoid being hit by the driver behind.
4.As you slow to a stop, identify an escape route. Think of the hard shoulder, the pavement, the curb or any other safe route where you can get out of the way of a speeding vehicle approaching from behind.
5.Never accelerate up to a stop sign or a red light. Always slow down gradually and this will make the driver behind you slow down at the same pace. The advantage is that the light may change to green before you get to it, and you may not have to brake at all. This will also save on fuel and brake pads.
6.When you come to a stop, leave a two or three vehicle length between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you pull up quickly and close to the vehicle in front, you will be blocked in to a potential danger zone, without any escape options. Give yourself room to move in case traffic from behind is approaching too quickly.
7.When you stop, visualize what you can do to escape if the vehicle behind you doesnt stop. A normal reaction from drivers is to push on the brake harder when they are struck from behind, which can cause more serious injury. Be prepared to accelerate away if you are in danger of a rear-end shunt.
8.Check your brake lights frequently. A simple fuse can blow and leave your car without any brake lights. Drivers behind rely on that signal to warn them you are stopping and bulbs that dont work should be replaced quickly. You can even use the reflection in a shop window to test your brake lights.
9.Leave more space between you and the vehicle in front, as following too closely not only increases your chance of hitting the next car, but also ensures you will be braking harder when they brake, leaving you at risk of a rear-end shunt from the vehicle behind.
10.If drivers are following you too closely, dont brake hard to frighten them off. This can end up in a rear-end collision, and cause you whiplash injury. Slow down gradually at the next available passing zone, and they will eventually pass you. If they still insist on following too closely, pull into a service station or any other safe location until they have gone by.
by: Adrian Vultur
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