Within the first year of obtaining a driver's license, a 16-year old driver has a one in four chance of being in a collision.
Special Awareness
It is vital for all drivers to be aware of the environment in which they travel, other drivers around them and the vehicle they control.
A. "Rear-Ender" - This is the most common collision type and is nearly always the fault of the car in the rear. Drivers who tailgate do not leave enough stopping distance between themselves and the vehicle they immediately follow. The rear-end collision is often the result of following too closely, but it can be prevented by signaling early for all turns, stops and lane changes. It is also a good idea to frequently check the traffic behind your vehicle. If you find yourself being tailgated, change lanes immediately. Be aware of tailgaters or large vehicles following too closely or gaining rapidly from behind, and take appropriate action to avoid conflict. If you see someone approaching rapidly from the rear, try the following:
Attempt to warn the driver behind you by tapping your brakes.
If no other options are available, press your brake pedal and prepare for impact.
Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel. Chances are you may be pushed forward or even sideways and will still need to maintain control.
Your seat belt will prevent your face and upper torso from hitting the steering wheel or windshield. Most cars today have headrests. This will help minimize whiplash.
B. Front or Side Collision
1. From the Front - If your vehicle is going to be hit from the front, be prepared to use your arms or hands to protect your face and throw yourself across the seat to avoid hitting the steering wheel or windshield if you do not have a shoulder harness on.
2. From the Side
If possible, avoid head-on collisions and the inevitable impact. Attempt to maneuver so the approaching vehicle hits your car from the side.
Be careful when protecting your face. For example, air bag devices deploy in front-end impacts at approximately 35 mph. Use caution when placing your hands in front of your face as the air bag could push them into your head (the shoulder strap of your seat belt will prevent your face from hitting the dashboard).
Use the steering wheel to brace yourself, and try to avoid being thrown against the side of your car.
C. Light Rain / First Rain - The first rain often leads to a dangerous condition in which to operate a motor vehicle. This early rain lifts the oil up from the road surface, but it does not completely wash away the slippery substance. Many drivers are generally unwilling to slow down to a level that the first rain requires. Light rain tends to be ignored by people who continue driving as if the roads were clear and dry. The light rain makes the road slick and simply does not provide enough water to wash away all the accumulated oil and debris. Speed should be dramatically reduced, with extra stopping distance allowed and extreme caution exercised. It is important to remember that when road conditions and surfaces change, braking distance and traction change as well.
D. One-Way Streets - In order to eliminate confusion in heavily traveled areas and to keep the flow of traffic moving, one-way streets are becoming more and more common. One-way streets often pose unique dangers to drivers. Wrong way drivers are common, as are other motorists making turns from unsafe lanes. Drivers should be aware of how to properly enter and exit one-way streets and be prepared to slow dramatically if necessary. Always choose the safest lane.
Statistics
The leading cause of Expressway collisions is "following too closely."
50% of all collisions nationally are caused by drivers 16 - 24 years of age.
15% of all collision fatalities in Indiana involve drivers 16 - 20 years of age.
Remember, practicing good vehicle maintenance can greatly reduce the chances of emergency situations on the road.
