What is a common cause of rear-end collisions?

Tailgating or following too closely is a predominant factor in rear-end collisions because it reduces the driver's ability to react in time to sudden stops or slowdowns of the vehicle in front. When a driver is tailgating, they have less time to brake safely if the vehicle ahead slows down unexpectedly. This lack of space and reaction time can lead to collisions, as the tailgating driver may not be able to stop in time to avoid hitting the rear of the vehicle ahead.

While poor weather conditions, driving under the influence, and running red lights can also contribute to accidents, they typically do not lead specifically to rear-end collisions as consistently as tailgating does. For example, poor weather may cause a variety of accidents, but it's not solely responsible for rear-end collisions. Similarly, driving under the influence and running red lights can result in various types of accidents, including side impacts and head-on collisions, but tailgating directly relates to the mechanics of a rear-end crash where one vehicle collides with the back of another due to insufficient stopping distance.