When drivers pass car accident scenes in Florida, they tend to slow down to see what happened. This type of behavior is called rubbernecking, and it can be dangerous. Slowing down to look at motor vehicle accidents can cause other collisions because people who engage in rubbernecking impede the flow of traffic and take their eyes off of the road.
Why do people engage in rubbernecking?
Rubbernecking is a common behavior because people instinctively want to identify dangers in their environment. All people have a natural fight or flight response to perceived dangers and are drawn to look at accident scenes to identify any potential hazards. While this type of behavior is natural, it should be avoided. Drivers should always keep their attention focused on the road and the vehicles around them instead of looking at accidents.
Dangers of rubbernecking
While rubbernecking is common, it is also a type of distracted driving. People who are distracted by motor vehicle accident scenes take their eyes and attention away from the road. Even when they only glance at an accident scene for a few seconds, their vehicles can travel hundreds of feet during that brief period. This can cause them to collide with other vehicles when they are not paying attention. Slowing down to look at an accident also can cause other vehicles to crash with the slowed vehicle.
Keeping your eyes and attention focused on the road at all times is essential. By avoiding rubbernecking, you might be able to prevent being involved in an accident as you pass by the scene of a different wreck. If someone else is distracted and crashes into you, you might need to consult a personal injury lawyer about how to obtain compensation.