Rear End
A rear end crash involves one vehicle or road user running in to the back of another vehicle or road user. This can occur when the front vehicle slows down or stops, or because the following vehicle is travelling faster than the front vehicle.
This is a common crash type on roads, although the severity is often less than for other crash types because the relative speeds of vehicles involved in a rear end collision are generally lower, as they are travelling in the same direction. Also, they frequently occur after both vehicles have undertaken braking action, and thus any secondary impact with the surrounding road environment is less severe. They can be more serious in nature when vehicles of different mass come in to contact (e.g. car and cyclist, truck and car).
The main causes of a rear end crash are a failure to leave a sufficient gap to the vehicle in front, or a lack of attention. In both cases, there may be insufficient time to brake to avoid a collision. The time needed by the driver to make a decision and brake is an important factor and will vary according to the driving conditions, vehicle speed and the road environment.
Typical factors which may add to the rear end crash risk include:
- poor quality, or poorly maintained roads (including oil, debris or water on the road)
- traffic 'friction' due to frequent pedestrian or parking movements along the road
- stopping traffic
- poor condition of vehicle tyres, brakes and brake lights
- unstable traffic flow on a high speed road (e.g. sudden stops on some roads during busy periods).
- Safer Roads
- Estimated cost
- Casualty Reduction
- Central Turning Lane Full Length
- Low
- 10-25%
- Delineation
- Low
- 10-25%
- Intersection - Delineation
- Low
- 10-25%
- Intersection - Turn Lanes (Signalised)
- Low to medium
- 10-25%
- Intersection - Turn Lanes (Unsignalised)
- Low to medium
- 10-25%
- Parking Improvements
- Low to medium
- 10-25%
- Regulate Roadside Commercial Activity
- Low to medium
- 10-25%
- Skid Resistance
- Low to medium
- 25-40%
- Shoulder Sealing
- Medium
- 25-40%
- Speed Management
- Medium
- 25-40%
- One Way Network
- Medium
- 25-40%
- Restrict/Combine Direct Access Points
- Medium to high
- 25-40%
- Traffic Calming
- Medium to high
- 25-40%
- Additional Lane
- High
- 25-40%
- Intersection - Grade Separation
- High
- 25-40%
- Safer Vehicles
Safer Roads
- Safer Roads
- Estimated cost
- Casualty Reduction
- Central Turning Lane Full Length
- Low
- 10-25%
- Delineation
- Low
- 10-25%
- Intersection - Delineation
- Low
- 10-25%
- Intersection - Turn Lanes (Signalised)
- Low to medium
- 10-25%
- Intersection - Turn Lanes (Unsignalised)
- Low to medium
- 10-25%
- Parking Improvements
- Low to medium
- 10-25%
- Regulate Roadside Commercial Activity
- Low to medium
- 10-25%
- Skid Resistance
- Low to medium
- 25-40%
- Shoulder Sealing
- Medium
- 25-40%
- Speed Management
- Medium
- 25-40%
- One Way Network
- Medium
- 25-40%
- Restrict/Combine Direct Access Points
- Medium to high
- 25-40%
- Traffic Calming
- Medium to high
- 25-40%
- Additional Lane
- High
- 25-40%
- Intersection - Grade Separation
- High
- 25-40%
Safer Vehicles
- Safer Vehicles
Safer People
- Safer People
Did you know?
If properly designed, safety barriers reduce the severity of crashes involving ‘out of control' vehicles.
Latest Case Studies
See practical examples of how deaths and serious injuries have been prevented.
