These techniques will alleviate that feeling of helplessness over lack of control of your car’s backside.
Is she, behind you, talking on her cell? Are they chronically driving too close behind you?
Rightfully insecure about our backside, we shudder. But it does not have to be. These are the ways to mitigate our anxiety and separate us from one of the most tragic of collisions.
First, we must recognize that many drivers get their information about what is happening ahead by looking only at the brake lights of the car immediately ahead. Their warnings of slow-downs further up the line of cars are, therefore, late. During their reaction of moving from gas to brake, their vehicle keeps moving quickly ahead.
You and I, however, look far ahead, beyond a few cars so we can predict and respond to what might develop. When, as you are looking further ahead, you see a slow down, tap your brakes quickly more than once so they blink on and off. People respond faster to a flashing light than they do to a steady light. It alerts them and they will often lift their eyes; look further ahead to see for themselves the slow down. Then they cover their brake. Do this even if you have a very early notice of a slow down happening ahead; even when it is not greatly crucial to immediately tap your brakes. The driver behind is notified early and can increase space cushion behind you. Reminds them of the realities of surprise slow downs.
For turns, put on an early blinker. This works wonderfully. Those behind have more time to believe you will be slowing down for the turn (and more time to leave their distractions so they can react). Blink about 1/2 block before your turn as long as there is not an intervening street ahead before your intended turn. Laws read to blink “at least 100 feet before intended turn” (3 city houses); meaning at least. (The plentiful driveways and alleys cannot be included in your blinker decision.)
Rear end collisions are a large percentage of crashes, especially on the freeway. People drive too closely; brake too late. We must control that by these actions.
Healthy space cushions in front of you provide protection behind! Why? While in your braking mode and with a healthy space cushion, you have more time to continue braking without abruptly stopping, thus allowing the car behind to recover from its late start in braking.
We do have control over our backside. That is comforting.
NEXT TIME: PROTECTING YOUR BACKSIDE AT STOPS.
