Head-On Collisions: Understanding the Dangers and Prevent Them

What is a Head-On Collision?

A head-on collision involves two vehicles crashing into each other, front-ends first.

Head-on collisions are not common, but they are among the deadliest types of traffic accidents, accounting for a significant portion of road fatalities. In rural areas, this type of crash makes up 13 percent of all fatal crashes.

Head-on collisions typically happen when the driver of a vehicle crosses the center of the roadway, and another driver is approaching from the other direction. They can also occur when a driver enters and drives the wrong way on a highway off-ramp or enters a divided highway on the wrong side of the divider.

Head-on crashes on freeways and Interstates have increased in recent years and are often caused by drivers traveling or turning the wrong way.

You should always pay close attention to pavement markings. The color of center lines and edge lines tells you if you drive in the right direction. The Do Not Enter and Wrong Way signs will also alert you when you enter a road against traffic.

Drivers driving on the wrong side of the road or against traffic is also a common cause of sideswipe collisions. This type of collision differs from head-on collisions in that the impact tends to be a glancing blow rather than a direct front-end collision.

What are Common Causes of Head-on Collisions?

Many things contribute to head-on collisions. They are often a combination of human error and environmental conditions.

Some of the most common causes include:

Driver Error: Inattention, distraction, and impaired driving due to alcohol or substance abuse are significant contributors to head-on collisions. These factors can lead to drivers straying from their lanes, crossing double yellow lines, or making unsafe turns.

Road Conditions: Adverse road conditions, such as narrow lanes, sharp curves, or poor visibility due to darkness or weather, can increase the risk of head-on collisions. These factors can make it challenging for drivers to maintain control and stay in their lanes.

Road Obstacles: Many head-on collisions are caused by drivers swerving to avoid obstacles in the road, such as wild animals, rocks, or debris.

Mechanical Failure: In rare instances, mechanical failures such as tire blowouts or sudden steering malfunctions can cause drivers to lose control and veer into oncoming traffic. However, such accidents are much less frequent than collisions caused by human error.

What Can You Do to Prevent Head-On Collisions?

There are some simple things you can do to prevent head-on crashes:

Avoid Distractions: Stay off the phone and avoid other distractions like eating, drinking, and applying makeup while you drive. Distractions can divert attention from the road, increasing the risk of lane drifting.

Don’t Drink and Drive: Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Even one drink can affect your driving. Impaired judgment and coordination lead to many severe accidents, including head-on collisions.

Avoid Drowsy Driving: Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel and drift into oncoming lanes of traffic or run off on the far side of the road.

Slow down. It is important to understand that the force in a car accident increases as speed increases. Excessive speed also reduces reaction times and your field of vision. It is harder to control your vehicle. You buy yourself precious reaction time and braking distance by keeping your speed down.

Stay alert. Scan your surroundings and look for road signs, signals, and pavement markings. Anticipate the actions of other drivers and maintain a safe following distance. Defensive driving habits can significantly reduce the chances of accidents. When you feel tired, pull off the road and rest. Pull off the road and rest when you feel tired.

Pass with Care. When you overtake another vehicle on the left side of the road, ensure you have enough space to pass safely. Never pass another vehicle if there is an oncoming vehicle close enough to be a hazard or if there is a solid yellow center line closest to your lane. After passing, you must return to your lane as soon as practicable and safe, and always before an oncoming vehicle is within 200 feet.

Maintain Your Vehicle: Keep your windshield clean and headlamps clean. Properly inflated and maintained tires are also important. They provide better grip and handling, reducing the risk of skidding, tire blowouts, and losing control. Regular car inspections are essential for road safety.

What Should You Do If There is an Oncoming Vehicle in Your Lane?

Whenever you a driver drifting into your lane head-on or a driver entering the highway the wrong way, you should:

• Quickly ease off the gas and brake hard.
• Flash your headlights and blast the horn as a warning.
• Steer to the right of the oncoming vehicle.
• Try to steer into any clear area, like a shoulder.
• Drive off the road if necessary. Hitting the ditch is better than hitting the other vehicle.

Never drive to the left of the oncoming vehicle. It can be tempting to try to avid a head-on collision by swinging to the left of the oncoming vehicle instead of braking hard and keeping to the right.

You shouldn’t swing into the other travel lane because the other driver may suddenly realize their mistake and turn back into the proper lane.

If you overreact and over-steer while swerving to avoid a collision, you may run off and crash on the far left side of the road.

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  Car Accident Photo – Credit: W. Robert Howell
Sources:
  Reducing Head-On Crashes on Freeways
  NTHSA – Traffic Safety Facts