What is a common cause of rear-end collisions?

Sudden stops without warning are a frequent cause of rear-end collisions because they catch following drivers off guard. When a driver unexpectedly halts their vehicle, particularly in traffic conditions where others anticipate a steady pace, it can lead to a lack of reaction time for the drivers behind. This scenario can happen in various situations, such as when a vehicle approaches traffic lights that turn yellow or red suddenly, or when a driver decides to stop for an obstacle that wasn't visible in advance. The inability to foresee the stopping vehicle down the line often results in a crash, as the following driver may not have the space or time to brake safely.

While other factors like driving over the speed limit, improper lane changes, and ignoring traffic signals can also contribute to accidents, they tend not to be as closely correlated with rear-end collisions specifically. Those issues usually involve a more complex interaction between multiple vehicles or disregard for road rules rather than the direct cause of a sudden stop that could immediately result in a rear-end crash.