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Sideswipes Sideswipes are often preventable. Defensive drivers do not get into a position where they can be forced into another vehicle or another vehicle can be forced into them. Defensive drivers continuously check for escape routes to avoid sideswipes. For two lane roads, this means a driver should pass another vehicle only when absolutely certain that he or she can safely complete the pass. A driver should also be ready to slow down and let a passing vehicle that has failed to judge safe passing distance back into the lane. A driver should make no sudden moves that may force another vehicle to swerve. If a driver sideswipes a stationary object while taking evasive action to avoid striking another car or a pedestrian, such an accident may not be preventable. However, you should consider what the driver could have done or failed to do immediately preceding the evasive action to be in the position of no other options. A driver is also expected to anticipate the actions of an oncoming vehicle. Sideswiping an oncoming vehicle is often preventable. Again, evasive action, including leaving the roadway, may be necessary if an oncoming vehicle crosses into the driver's lane. Drivers are expected to allow merging vehicles to merge smoothly with them, and to merge smoothly on controlled access highways. Drivers are expected to be able to gauge distances properly when leaving a parking place and enter traffic smoothly. Questions to consider: 1. Did the driver look to front and rear for approaching and overtaking traffic immediately before starting to pull away from the curb? 2. Did the driver signal before pulling away from the curb? 3. Did the driver look back rather than depend only upon rear-view mirrors? 4. Did the driver start into traffic only when this action would not require traffic to change its speed or direction in order to avoid his or her vehicle? Head-on Collisions A head-on collision with a vehicle traveling in the wrong lane may be preventable if the driver could have pulled off the road or taken other evasive action to prevent a collision. However, the driver should never drive into the other lane to avoid the oncoming vehicle. If the driver swerved off the road to avoid a head-on collision,the accident is non-preventable. The driver in this case made a good defensive driving decision,taking the lesser of two evils. Many skidding conditions are caused by rain, freezing rain, fog, and snow, which all increase the hazard of travel. Oily road film, which builds up during a period of good weather, causes an especially treacherous condition during the first minutes of a rainfall. Loss of traction can be anticipated, and these accidents usually are preventable. Driving too fast for conditions is the most common reason why these types of accidents are preventable. Questions to consider: 1. Was the driver operating at a safe speed considering weather and road conditions? 2. During inclement weather,was the driver keeping at least twice the safe following distance used for dry pavement? 3. Were all actions gradual? 4. Was the driver anticipating ice on bridges, in gutter, ruts,and near the curb? 5. Was the driver alert for water, ice or snow in shaded areas, loose gravel,sand, ruts, etc? If a driver goes off the road or strikes another vehicle because of skidding,the accident is preventable. Pedestrian Accidents All types of pedestrian accidents, including collisions with pedestrians coming from between parked cars, are usually 54