What can I do to try and prevent a rear end accident ?

A: www.ehow.com

Instructions

Stay alert. With common distractions occurring in the cab of a vehicle, this is one of the easiest aspects to overlook. Every time you divert your attention from the road in front of you to something else occurring in the cab, you're gambling. Taking chances and gambling means sooner or later, the odds will stack up against you. Paying attention to the flow of traffic in front of you and behind you is absolutely essential. When driving, you should not allow any distractions to involve you in diverting your attention from the road. If necessary, place the directional of your vehicle on for a right hand turn, and pull over to the side of the road, as far away from the road as possible.

Skip the 2 second rule and use the 4 second rule. Although a slower car in front of you can be a major annoyance, tailgating it is not a solution. Brake lights on a car in front of you might alert you a car is slowing down, but at what velocity is hard to determine. Once a vehicle in front of you passes an object, count to 4 seconds. To keep safe distance behind the car in front of you, your vehicle should be passing that same object by the time you reach 4 seconds.

Brake early and tap the brake pedal to help alert the driver behind you that you're braking. Braking early keeps you a safer distance from the vehicle in front of you, and helps the drivers behind you know you're slowing down.

Always use the directional. Another communication device for drivers is the directional switch. This alerts drivers both in front and behind you of your intentions. Use the directional early enough to convey your intentions to traffic around you. At least 8 seconds before you intend to make the turn is generally acceptable. Just because you know where you're going doesn't mean the traffic around you does; do not leave that knowledge up to chance.

Don't tailgate and don't let other drivers tailgate you. Although aggravating in either case, drive defensively, and if you can't get around someone, leave enough room in front of you and the slower vehicle. You'll be able to see the road better, and when a passing opportunity arises, you'll be able to take it more safely. If a driver is tailgating you, it's obvious they want to go faster than you. So let them. Turn on your directional, pull over, and allow them to pass. In a few seconds time, they will no longer be a hazard or a distraction to you.

Use your mirrors. Although what is in front of you seems to be the most important factor in driving, what is alongside you or behind you is equally important. A driver who is not distracted, will continuously check their side view and rear view mirrors often. They will observe the vehicles around them, and know when a vehicle should be passing them or not or changing lanes. Always check your blind spot, and use your directional before changing lanes. If you're keeping a adequate distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, you can avoid most collisions.