Collisions+Due+to+Heavy+Traffic+(by+Brett+Priester)

=Collisions Due to Heavy traffic= ==


 * Introduction:** Collisions due to heavy traffic occur because of people not driving for "themselves and others". In 2008 there were almost 17,000 collisions and 5,000 major injuries because of careless driving. Traffic collisions are mostly caused by older drivers. Studies show older drivers are more care free because they have been driving for so long they don't have the nervousness that new drivers have.

-To solve this problem it is encouraged to read over (and follow) the rules of your driving manual. Paying attention to other drivers is important because you may be a good driver however someone else on the road could be drunk, reckless, or careless and you need to watch for that.


 * Kinematics:** To actually become the best driver you can be and prevent collisions in heavy traffic you need to know how much of a separation (distance) you need to keep from the car in front of you (In case of sudden brake or mistake by the driver in front of you, you will have enough reaction time you respond.)


 * Statistics:****

- In 2008 there were 16,147 car collisions and 4,578 injuries due to heavy traffic. ** - Websites, books, and articles were made to inform people and give help on how to avoid heavy traffic collisions. - Traffic collisions have not risen since 2004.


 * Example Scenario:** Andrew is driving at 25 m/s/s following behind Taylor who is driving 25m/s/s. Andrew has a 1 sec. separation point between his car and Taylor's. Seeing the light is already yellow Taylor accelerates to 27m/s/s. Andrew( following Taylor's actions) does the same. When stopping suddenly because Taylor sees the light turned red her breaks are slammed and since Andrew only kept a 1 sec. separation point between his and her car he does not react fast enough a slams into the back of her car.





The graph shows the actions of Taylor's driving.


 * Avoidance:

This type of accident can be easily avoided. Andrew has two major mistakes in this scenario apart from Taylor. Andrew kept a 1 sec. separation point in between his car and Taylor's when driving books say you should at least keep a 4 sec. separation point between your car and the driver in front of you. Also when driving Andrew followed the actions of Taylor for reason unknown (it doesn't take a genius to figure out why you shouldn't do this.) If Andrew had proper knowledge of kinematics this accident would have never happened. **