To avoid a pileup in the first place, it's vital to be aware of the risk factors for one. Once a chain-reaction accident begins, it may be challenging to stop more crashes. According to Robert Swint, CEO of ATA Associates, a Texas-based crash investigation company that has examined more than 6,000 crashes over 50 years, many of which involved chain-reaction collisions frequently occur when "the driving circumstances have changed because the world has changed." According to William Van Tassel, manager of driver instruction programs for AAA, drivers should try to preserve the space surrounding their cars under certain circumstances. If there is adequate room around you, it is pretty challenging to strike anything.
Below are some methods to avoid a pileup—as well as what to do in case it cannot be avoided.
Don't tailgate and go more slowly. When visibility is reduced, it may be difficult for drivers to notice objects up ahead. On ice and snow, cars also need additional space to stop. Therefore, in severe weather, cars must slow down. Tow truck Burnaby is needed to sort out this type of situation.
Watch what's happening in your rearview. What if another automobile is riding your back bumper even if you aren't tailgating the car in front of you? Van Tassel advises drivers to "change lanes, slow down, or do whatever it takes to let that problematic motorist pass." According to Jake Fisher, senior director of auto testing at CR, knowing if another car is following you may help you decide what to do if you notice a collision. For example, it may be feasible to slow down, change lanes, or go onto the shoulder if you are being tailgated and approach halted traffic rather than panicking and maybe starting a chain reaction behind you. Thus, a collision may be avoided if the vehicle in front of you cannot stop.
Focus your focus even more. When driving in hazardous circumstances, it may be tempting to peek at a navigation screen to locate a different route or to phone a loved one to let them know you'll be late, but Fisher advises that you should give driving your full attention. Always be aware of where other vehicles are around you, he suggests. You may need to decide immediately whether to change lanes or use the brakes to prevent a collision. "Keeping your eyes on the road is more than simply looking ahead; it also involves being aware of the following: Is there a vehicle next to me? Is an automobile following me? The difference between causing a collision and preventing one by driving on the shoulder might be that extra spatial awareness to appropriately respond to an imminent emergency and glance beyond the vehicle in front of you to see what's going further up the road.
Be aware of the people you share the road with. All three authors—Fisher, Swint, and Van Tassel—suggest maintaining a space surrounding your automobile. In addition to refraining from tailgating, this entails varying your pace so that you aren't following closely behind other cars. Fisher claims that if the automobile in front of you loses control, it will strike you. This is particularly true while driving behind big vehicles and tractor-trailers. They often cause traffic jams and have the potential to "jackknife" (when the rear of the trailer swings around to face the tractor or vice versa), obliterating several smaller cars and trucks in their path. Never attempt to pass a truck driving slowly; if a collision occurs, you risk being trapped in its wake.
Avoid making any quick movements. Driving carefully and gently is necessary when the road is slick since even little changes in speed or direction might result in losing control. Swint advises gradual speed changes rather than sudden directional changes. Instead of slamming on the brakes if you find yourself going too quickly, ease off the gas. Rapidly using the brakes may cause a vehicle to slide, which can cause you to lose steering control. Van Tassel explains, "We like to suggest that the accelerator is better at controlling speed than the brake. "Even a little raise of your foot can assist."
Watch your step on the roadways. Are those yellow signs with the warning "bridge freezes before road" familiar to you? According to Swint, they are there for a purpose. According to him, "when there is open air beneath the pavement, the road freezes fast," which may result in black ice, a slick, icy surface that is not apparent like other types of ice and slush. So, as you get close to a bridge or an overpass, let up on the gas.
Understand the limitations of your vehicle. The capacity of your car to accelerate quickly should not be confused with its emergency stopping power, Jump start car service. According to Gene Petersen, tire program manager at CR and expert in vehicle dynamics evaluation, this is particularly true with four-wheel or all-wheel-drive cars, which have a propensity to offer drivers a false feeling of security. For example, on slippery or snowy roads, a two-wheel-drive car may periodically skid, letting drivers know how little traction their vehicle has. Although a four-wheel-drive car is more likely to remain pointed ahead, this might cause problems for drivers.
