DESCRIPTION: Describes the dangers of Rear End

Collisions and how you can reduce your

likelihood of being involved in one.
RiskCOACH: AVOIDING REAR END COLLISIONS
Rear end collisions are one of the most common types of crashes and are
responsible for significant numbers of deaths and injuries each year. In fact, research
suggests that FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE (or tailgating) is a contributory factor in
more than 33% of personal injury incidents on the highway.
As with the majority of crashes, DRIVER ERROR is the cause of most rear end
collisions. Driving too close is an obvious cause, yet many drivers continue to drive
BUMPER TO BUMPER even at high speeds. If you drive in this manner it will
undoubtedly put you at a much greater risk of colliding with the vehicle in front, as
you will not be leaving yourself any time or space to react if the vehicle in front stops
suddenly.
Keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front and sticking to a suitable speed will
reduce your risk of having a rear end collision. You can ensure you are keeping a
safe distance by using the THREE-SECOND RULE. To do this look out for the
vehicle in front passing a fixed point, such as a lamppost, then start counting. It
should take you three seconds or more to pass the same point. If it takes you less
you are driving too close!
YOU MUST BE AWARE OF YOUR SPEED AT ALL TIMES AND YOU SHOULD
ALWAYS BE ABLE TO STOP IN THE DISTANCE YOU CAN SEE TO BE CLEAR.
(At night this is the distance illuminated by your headlights)
As well as taking steps to reduce the chance of CAUSING a rear end collision, there
are many things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming the victim of a rear
end collision. Consider the following scenarios and relevant advice:
LEAVE AN ESCAPE ROUTE (TIRES AND PAVEMENT)
Space permitting, you should leave a safety zone in front of you when stopping
behind another vehicle. You can achieve this by always making sure you can see the
tires of the vehicle in front in contact with the pavement. If it looks like a vehicle
behind is going to hit you, you should be able to steer out of danger by moving to the
side or pulling further forward.
BE SEEN
When stationary in a line of traffic, apart from making sure you leave a safety gap
between your vehicle and the one in front; keep your vehicle in gear with the brake
lights on. You should also keep a finger over the hazard button in case you need to
urgently warn an approaching vehicle to stop.
USE THE CORRECT LANE
Dont fall into the habit of only using the outside and middle lanes of a highway as
you are more likely to be targeted by a tailgater in these lanes. Only use the middle
and outside lanes for passing, then return to the inside lane when it is safe to do so.

BE AWARE SCAN 360

Defensive Drivers are continually SCANNING around their vehicle in order to
update their picture of the world around them and avoid the word SUDDENLY!
Effective observation is about - what I can see, what I cannot see and what I might
reasonably expect to happen. Almost all collisions are avoidable if you manage
your safety space and scan your driving environment systematically.
LET TAILGATERS PASS
Tailgating is the term commonly used to describe the dangerous practice of
driving too close to the vehicle in front. Generally speaking, a following gap of less
than three seconds (in good driving / weather conditions) could be considered
tailgating although often the behavior exhibited on the roads is far more extreme.
Tailgating is an AGGRESSIVE act and may be accompanied by headlight flashing or
sounding the horn which can be very intimidating for the victim. If you find yourself in
this situation there are some things that you should NOT do. Firstly do not panic and
speed up this is what the tailgater would like you to do. Secondly do not take the
opposite approach and slowdown in order to teach the other driver a lesson or to
regulate their speed.
If you are on a multi-lane road, pull into the slower lane(s) as soon as it is safe to do
so to let them pass. If this isnt possible try slowing down gradually, increasing the
gap between you and the vehicle in front to encourage the following driver to pass. If
all else fails try pulling off the road at an intersection or finding a safe spot to pull over
it may cost you a few extra seconds but will save you the immediate pressure of
the situation as well as the potential risk of a collision.
USE YOUR MIRRORS
While stopped, continuously scan your mirrors for vehicles behind that might not be
stopping. The same goes for when you are slowing keep an eye on drivers behind
to make sure they are slowing too. Have an ESCAPE ROUTE in mind at all times.
(According to NHTSA, a glance directed at the rear-view mirror or side-mirrors is a
safety-enhancing activity, while eye glances at objects inside the vehicle are not.
Scanning the driving environment enhances safety, as long as it is systematic and
the drivers eyes return to the forward-view in under 2 seconds.)
BLIND SPOTS
Before maneuvering from your current position, you must always check your rear
view and side mirrors. However, the mirrors DO NOT and CANNOT scan the whole
area - there are always BLIND SPOTS. Blind Spots exist to the FRONT of your
vehicle, to the REAR of your vehicle, to the LEFT side of your vehicle and to the
RIGHT side of your vehicle.
KEEP YOUR VEHICLE MAINTAINED
Making sure lights and indicators are working helps ensure other drivers can see
your intentions. Also, keeping brakes and tires in good condition helps to make sure
you can stop when you need to!
TRAFFIC LIGHT JUMPERS
GREEN does NOT always mean GO! Count to 3 before moving off and scan for
drivers rushing through on red/amber from other directions.

ARE YOU AT RISK?

Ask yourself the following questions:
Do you travel closely to the vehicle in front of you?
Have you ever collided with the vehicle in front?
Do you stop too closely to the vehicle in front when at a stop sign or in
congested traffic?
Do you have to brake hard due to lapses in concentration?
Do you take action to inform other drivers that you are slowing?
Do you leave an escape route when stopped?
Do you tend to exceed the speed limit?
Have you ever been hit from behind?
Do you sometimes feel you are not concentrating properly when behind the
wheel?
Have you ever had to do an emergency stop to avoid hitting the vehicle in
front?
Answering YES to any of these questions means you are at greater risk of being
involved in a rear end collision. However, by following some simple tips you can
reduce this risk significantly.
Safe Driving.

BEST PRACTICE KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT

Q1. What is one of the main CAUSES of rear end collisions?
Tailgating drivers. *
People driving slowly.
Drivers stopping unexpectedly.
BEST PRACTICE
Tailgating or driving too close is a major problem on many roads, particularly on
highways.
Tailgating is one of the main reasons for rear end collisions, as a driver who is
traveling too close to the vehicle in front will not have enough time to react if the
vehicle in front performs an unexpected maneuver.
When a crash occurs in this situation, some tailgating drivers may try to blame the
driver in front for stopping or slowing too quickly, but the reality is that they would be
the one at fault for being too close. If you ensure you always keep a suitable distance
from the vehicle in front then you should have time to react to the other drivers
actions, even if they are unexpected.
DID YOU KNOW?
A survey carried out by the National Group found that on some stretches of highway
70% of drivers were guilty of tailgating.

Q2. How does a driver know if they are sticking to the THREE-SECOND RULE?
If they were able to brake within three seconds if they saw the vehicle in front
braking.
If they can count to three seconds or more after a vehicle in front passes a fixed point
such as a lamppost before they pass it themselves. *
If there is a three second gap between them and the vehicle behind.
BEST PRACTICE
Car drivers should use at least a three-second rule when driving behind other
vehicles in good conditions. In adverse conditions you should consider a minimum of
eight seconds as a safe following distance.
Once a vehicle has passed a fixed point, such as a tree, lamppost or road sign, you
should start counting. If you reach the marker after counting to the relevant number
of seconds for your vehicle you have a safe following distance. If you reach the
marker before, you are driving too close and need to slow down to increase the
distance between your vehicle and the one in front.
Your stopping distance is directly related to the type of vehicle you are driving. The
more it weighs, the more time and distance it will take to stop.
DID YOU KNOW?
On some stretches of the highway network, white chevrons are being painted on the
road to help drivers keep their distance from each other. A study by the Transport
Research Laboratory showed a crash reduction of 56% at chevron sites.

Q3. What should a driver do when approaching the back of a LINE OF TRAFFIC,
particularly in an unexpected place?
Slow down in plenty of time rather than stopping suddenly. *
Use hazard lights as a further warning if it appears other drivers behind havent
spotted that the traffic ahead has stopped or slowed. *
Refrain from getting too close to the back of the line of traffic. *
BEST PRACTICE
When arriving at the back of any traffic line, road work or any unexpected hazard you
should try to warn the drivers behind by slowing down early and gradually, and
tapping on your brakes. Always ensure you leave at least a vehicle length between
yourself and the vehicle in front so you have enough room for an escape route.
If this is on a highway you may also want to turn on your hazard lights as an extra
warning to the drivers behind, especially if you are unsure whether they have seen
you slowing down.
Be particularly wary if you are the first vehicle to arrive at a closed railway crossing or
when stopped at an intersection or junction on a fast moving road. If you are hit in the
rear at either of these places you could be pushed into the traffic or onto a train track.
If you approach a line of traffic that is on a blind curve you should consider keeping
further back from the line so that your vehicle is positioned before the curve, even if
this means leaving a large gap. This will ensure that other vehicles see you in plenty
of time, rather than at the last minute. You can then move closer to the back of the
line once you are certain that approaching vehicles have seen you.
DID YOU KNOW?
Keeping the brake pedal pressed down will ensure your brake lights act as an
indication to approaching vehicles that you are stopped. However, when stationary,
the parking brake should also be used as a hard rear collision could force your foot
from the brake pedal.

Q4. If traveling at 70 mph/ 112 kph, what is the average STOPPING DISTANCE in
feet/car lengths?
40 feet/ 13 meters/ 3 car lengths.
118 feet/ 39 meters/ 9 car lengths.
315 feet/ 105 meters/ 24 car lengths. *
BEST PRACTICE
To help prevent you from colliding with the vehicle in front, you should be aware of
typical stopping distances.
Speed
20mph/32kph
30mph/48kph
40mph/64kph
50mph/80kph
60mph/96kph
70mph/112kph

Distance
40 feet/13 meters
75 feet/25 meters
118 feet/39 meters
175 feet/58 meters
240 feet/80 meters
315 feet/105 meters

Car lengths
3
6
9
13
18
24

These figures show the overall stopping distance, including thinking distance and
braking distance. The thinking distance assumes the driver is alert, with a reaction
time of less than a second. The braking distance is calculated based on a car with
good brakes and tires on a good road surface.
Stopping distances should be considered the absolute minimum as many factors
could increase the required distance. These include:

A driver with poorer reaction time

A large vehicle or one with a heavy load
Poor road surface
Poor weather conditions
Vehicle condition, e.g. tires, brakes etc.

DID YOU KNOW?

As part of a national Trade Carefully safety campaign, Dunlop Tires asked drivers to
state the stopping distance for a car traveling at 60 mph. The results showed that
89% of female drivers and 75% of male drivers could not give the correct stopping
distance. Of drivers aged 17-24 only 3% knew the correct answer!

Q5. What can a driver do to AVOID rear end collisions when driving in bad weather,
such as rain, ice, snow or fog?
Increase the gap between their vehicle and the one in front. *
Put lights on in gloomy weather and use fog lights (if fitted) in dense fog. *
Make sure all windows are clear and de-steamed before setting off. *
BEST PRACTICE
Driving in bad conditions can increase the risk of rear end collisions. If visibility is
poor or the road is wet or icy it will take you longer to react to hazards, such as an
unexpected line of traffic or broken down vehicles.
Stopping distances are double in the rain and ten times greater in icy weather, so the
distance between you and the vehicle in front needs to be much larger in poor
conditions. In snow and ice you should keep at least a twelve-second gap between
you and the car in front, and an eight-second gap in the rain.
It is vital that you keep the windshield and all other windows clear rather than simply
clearing a porthole to look through. If you limit your vision to a small gap in front of
you, you might not see a hazard until it is too late, such as a line of parked cars as
you turn a corner.
DID YOU KNOW?
About 70% of winter deaths related to ice or snow in the USA occur in vehicles.
(Source: The Compliance Resource Centre)

Q6. How should drivers interpret SPEED LIMITS?

Speed limit signs show the recommended speed for that road.
Speed limit signs indicate the maximum speed allowed on the road. *
A driver should drive the speed limit regardless of the road and weather conditions.
BEST PRACTICE
The speed limit is not a target; it is the absolute maximum you should drive. It does
not mean that it is safe to travel at that speed regardless of the conditions.
Speed is undoubtedly a major factor in many collisions, and the faster you drive the
less time you will have to react to hazards and the more time it will take for your
vehicle to stop when you brake.
If you drive too fast for the conditions and fail to leave a safe gap you will be
increasing your chances of having a rear end collision.
DID YOU KNOW?
A new stretch of toll road southeast of Austin, Texas, has the USAs highest legal
speed limit 85mph.

Q7. What can a driver do to try to avoid being TAILGATED on a highway?

Move to the right-hand (inside) lane when not passing. *
Keep in the middle lane as much as possible.
Accelerate slightly when the vehicle behind gets too close.
BEST PRACTICE
Sometimes other drivers tailgate for no reason other than not knowing the dangers
of traveling too close. Some drivers have a bad attitude and are ignorant of safety
rules. Others might not have been correctly trained or may have forgotten how
dangerous it is to tailgate.
Yet, while it is no excuse for dangerous driving, some drivers might argue that they
are tailgating because of YOUR behavior. If you are being tailgated, consider the
following:
Are you hogging the middle or outside lane?
Are you driving way below the speed limit in normal conditions?
Are you trying to prove a point and enforce the speed limit by traveling at 70mph
in the passing lane, when it would be safe to move over?
While you may be perfectly within the law in some circumstances (and may even feel
that you are enforcing the law to others!), it doesnt always take much for other
drivers to become annoyed. And nobody likes do-gooders!
If you ARE the victim of a tailgater, you should avoid:

Slamming on the brakes or tapping on the brake pedal to encourage the other
driver to slow down. You are only likely to annoy them and potentially provoke a
road rage incident.
Speeding up to escape.
Dramatically increasing your safety gap this might seem a safe option, but
increasing the gap in front too much could encourage the tailgater to overtake
and carry out a potentially dangerous maneuver.

Instead you should:

Pull over/slow down when it is safe to do so to let tailgaters pass.
Add one second or more to the safety gap in front, which should give you enough
time to brake safely but should not encourage the driver behind to pass.
DID YOU KNOW?
The police are able to pull over drivers for poor lane discipline and can also
prosecute if they consider a drivers behavior amounts to inconsiderate driving.

Q8. How would a DEFENSIVE DRIVER try to prevent a rear end collision?
By ensuring they look out only for themselves on the road.
By taking responsibility for their own actions while also keeping an eye on other road
users. *
By concentrating on the actions of other road users rather than their own actions.
BEST PRACTICE
To prevent any kind of collision all drivers should drive defensively. This means not
only taking responsibility for yourself and your actions but also keeping an eye on
other road users.
A defensive driver will ensure they follow the three-second rule and will always be on
the lookout for upcoming hazards. Additionally, a defensive driver will also change
lanes or pull over (if it is safe to do so) if they are being tailgated. If it is not safe to do
this, they would slow down and/ or create extra distance from the car in front to allow
safe stopping for themselves and to prevent their own vehicle being forced into the
one in front by the tailgater.
REMEMBER: Defensive Drivers are continually scanning around their vehicle in
order to update their picture of the world around them and avoid the word SUDDENLY. Effective observation is about - what I can see, what I cannot see and
what I might reasonably expect to happen. Almost all collisions are avoidable if
you manage your safety space and scan your driving environment effectively.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Ford Motor Company has designed a warning system that transmits a brake
light alert to the dashboards of vehicles following behind, when a driver in front
pushes the brake pedal. The purpose of the Electronic Brake Light is to warn drivers
following behind (even if they are around a curve or behind other traffic) and help
them react earlier. It is one of 20 potential future systems Ford tested as part of Safe
Intelligent Mobility a four-year industry research project.

Q9. What is a common INJURY sustained through a rear end collision?

Punctured lung.
Whiplash. *
Fractured shoulder.
BEST PRACTICE
Global research suggests that whiplash is the most common kind of injury sustained
in a road traffic collision. You are most likely to suffer whiplash if you are in a vehicle
that is hit from behind.
A whiplash neck sprain occurs when your head is suddenly jolted backwards and
forwards in a whip-like movement. This can cause the neck muscles and ligaments to
stretch more than normal. Even seemingly minor collisions at slow speeds can lead
to whiplash.
Head restraints on seats help to stop the head from jolting backwards in a collision
and may prevent some whiplash injuries. However, up to 3 in 4 head restraints are
not correctly adjusted. Although the best way of avoiding whiplash is to avoid a
collision, ensuring your head restraint is correctly adjusted can help to prevent
whiplash injuries if a collision does occur.
To correctly adjust your head restraint you should:

Ensure that the top of the head restraint is at the same height as the top of your
head
Position the head restraint as close to the back of your head as possible

DID YOU KNOW?

When a vehicle is struck from the rear by another car or truck, the force accelerates
the struck vehicle occupant's head forward with up to 10 or more times the force of
gravity. According to the San Diego Spine Research Institute, that's more
acceleration than fighter pilots or astronauts experience.

Q10. What can a driver do to help PREVENT being hit in the rear while at the back of
a line of traffic?
Keep well back from the vehicle in front. *
Put the vehicle in park.
Keep the vehicle in drive/first gear and your foot on the brake. *
BEST PRACTICE
When stationary at the back of a line of traffic make sure you leave a safety gap (tire
and pavement) between your vehicle and the one in front. Plan which way you could
move the vehicle if need be, (escape route) if it looks like a vehicle behind was
heading towards the rear of your vehicle too fast.
Keep your vehicle in drive/first gear with your foot on the brake and a finger over the
hazard button in case you need to urgently warn an approaching vehicle to stop.
Keep your eye on the road behind by looking in the rear-view mirror to check that
vehicles approaching from behind are slowing down appropriately. If you see a
vehicle coming towards you at speed either flash your hazard lights or if necessary
drive forward or to the side (onto a verge if absolutely necessary), using the extra
space you left when joining the line of traffic.
DID YOU KNOW?
A study carried out by the Head of Psychology at Peterborough College found that
drivers spend on average, 12 minutes per day waiting in traffic lines. This amounts to
an hour each week (Monday to Friday) adding up to 52 hours per year sitting in
traffic lines!

Q11. What potential risks arise from failing to MAINTAIN your vehicle properly?
Your chance of hitting another vehicle will increase. *
Your chance of being hit from behind will increase. *
Your chance of breaking down increase. *
BEST PRACTICE
You might think that poor vehicle maintenance will only increase your chances of a
breakdown, not of a crash. However, keeping your vehicle maintained and
roadworthy is not only a legal requirement but also a way of helping reduce your
chance of a rear end collision.
For example if your brake lights are not working you are putting yourself at a greater
risk of being hit from the rear, as other drivers will not realize that you have braked.
Similarly, if your actual brakes are worn down and therefore not working as they
should, it will take you longer to stop and you may not be able to avoid a rear end
collision. You should also check your tire tread depth regularly to ensure they meet
the legal minimum.
DID YOU KNOW?
A national survey found that only one in six US drivers is tire smart when it comes to
checking tire pressures. About 20% of men and 14% of women know to check their
tire pressures weekly and to check them when they are cold.
Source: The Tire Rubber Manufacturers Association

Q12. If a driver is DISTRACTED for just a couple of seconds what effect will this
have on their likelihood of a collision?
It would NOT increase their risk of a collision as long as they had kept a suitable
distance from the vehicle in front.
It MIGHT increase their risk depending on the speed limit of the road.
It WOULD put them at much greater risk of colliding with the vehicle in front. *
BEST PRACTICE
Even if you are only distracted for a second or two this can be disastrous. A second
may seem like a tiny amount of time, but it is surprising what can happen on a busy
road in a second.
Keeping a suitable distance from the vehicle in front WILL reduce your chance of a
collision, but only if you concentrate on the road and on what is happening around
you. Concentration is vital in all driving situations and is an important factor in
reducing many types of collision.
Top Ten things we do behind the wheel!!

Adjusting radio stations or CD players 82%

Drink beverages 80%
Talk/text on mobile phones 73%
Eat snacks 68%
Daydream 31%
Drive without shoes 28%
Experience road rage 21%
Smoking 21%

DID YOU KNOW?

Cognitive Distraction (losing focus on the driving task) results in looking and NOT
SEEING INATTENTION BLINDNESS!!
Sales professionals can equate this to LISTENING to your customers but not
HEARING what they are saying!!
SCIENCE OF DISTRACTION
VISUAL Eyes on the road
MECHANICAL Hands on the Steering Wheel
COGNITIVE Mind focused on driving

Q13. Which of the following is defensive when MERGING?

Merge at the last moment.
Keep your distance behind other vehicles. *
Merge early. *
BEST PRACTICE
When merging into a flow of traffic, early merging is the safest option.
Early merging helps to avoid annoying other drivers and is also the safest way of
avoiding a rear end collision.
To merge safely:

Go with the flow if possible try to fit into the speed of the other traffic before you
merge, rather than stopping and waiting for a gap.
Use your signal this shows others you want to merge and allows them to adjust
their speed.
Keep your distance if other vehicles are also merging, be prepared for them to
slow down or stop in front of you.
Check mirrors and blind spots SCAN 360 keep checking until you move as
this helps you to spot any drivers that have suddenly snuck up on you or moved
lanes themselves while you have been preparing to merge.
Assess space make sure there is a large enough space for your vehicle.
Incorrect merging can force other drivers to slam on their brakes or swerve out of
the way.

DID YOU KNOW?

Construction zones, road works and congestion have been blamed by many drivers
for their poor attitude and behavior on the road. In a recent survey of 1,000 drivers,
31% admitted to jumping traffic lights, 60% to cutting up other drivers while 62% rush
out of intersections, junctions and road circles/roundabouts.
Are those few extra seconds worth risking your life over?

Q14. In which of these circumstances are you particularly at RISK of being hit from
the rear?
When traveling around a curve in the road.
When waiting to turn left.*
When waiting to turn right.
BEST PRACTICE
There will be many cases where you wish to take a left turn from one road into
another, but there is no designated lane in which you can wait. Instead you will have
to stop on the main road and wait for a gap in oncoming traffic until you can turn
across it. This means that any vehicles approaching you from behind will also have to
stop and wait behind you until you have turned.
However, this is putting you at risk of being hit from behind, as approaching drivers
may not be concentrating or may be traveling too fast to stop safely behind you.
Therefore, when you know you wish to take a left turn you should always follow the
rule: mirror, signal, maneuver.
First, you should look in your mirror to check on the location of vehicles behind you.
Second, you should indicate your intention to turn, in plenty of time before the
upcoming turn. Indicating should not be done as you are turning or slightly before it
should warn other drivers in advance of your intention to turn. You should check that
the vehicle behind drops back, which will show that the driver has seen your signal
and knows of your intentions.
Finally, you should carry out your maneuver, which in this case would be to stop if
there is oncoming traffic, and turn when it is safe to do so. While you are waiting to
turn you should make sure you keep your wheels facing forwards, rather than turning
them to the left in anticipation. This will ensure that if you are hit from behind, your
vehicle will be shunted forwards, rather than into the path of oncoming traffic.
DID YOU KNOW?
A study carried out in the US found that nearly 80% of all crashes and 65% of all
near-crashes involved driver inattention just prior to the impact. Inattention was a
contributing factor for 93% of rear-end collisions, with half of these drivers failing to
brake before the impact.

Q15. Which of the following might increase the risk of a DRIVER HITTING a vehicle
from behind?
If the driver is tired/fatigued. *
If the driver is stressed. *
If the driver is ill. *
BEST PRACTICE
There are many factors that can increase your chances of having a rear end collision,
including tiredness/fatigue, stress and general illness, especially if you are lacking
concentration and alertness.
If you drive when you are fatigued you are at much greater risk of having a collision
of any kind as you will not be alert and will not be able to concentrate properly on
what is happening around you.
The two MAIN causes of fatigue are lack of quality sleep (sleep debt) and driving at
times when you would normally be asleep. Drivers who get less than 6 hours sleep
experience 4 times as many dangerous situations while driving. Getting enough
sleep is essential to safety; and you should aim to get 7 continuous hours of sleep
per night. (Source: National Sleep Foundation)
Likewise, if you drive when you are stressed you are more likely to drive aggressively
and tailgate other vehicles.
If you feel you are suffering from stress or fatigue (excessive tiredness) you should
make an appointment to see your doctor, as you will be putting yourself and other
drivers at risk if you carry on driving with either condition.
If you are ill your concentration is also likely to be affected, as is your level of
alertness and awareness. You may think that taking medication will combat the
effects of illness, but in fact many medicines even over the counter cold and flu
remedies can cause drowsiness and can affect your driving ability even more. If
suffering from an illness that causes you to feel sleepy you should not drive, and if
taking medication you should make sure you take one that doesnt cause
drowsiness.
DID YOU KNOW?
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that
approximately 100,000 police-reported crashes annually involve drowsiness and/or
fatigue as a principal causal factor. Those crashes result in an estimated 1,500
fatalities and 71,000 injuries each year, and an annual monetary loss of
approximately $12.5 billion.