Final answer:
Rear-end collisions occur when the trailing vehicle fails to maintain a safe following distance and collides with the vehicle in front. Maintaining a safe following distance is crucial to prevent such collisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rear-end collisions occur when the front of one vehicle collides with the rear of another. The main reason behind rear-end collisions is usually a lack of sufficient distance between the two vehicles. When the trailing vehicle does not leave enough space to stop safely, it may collide with the vehicle in front of it, resulting in a rear-end collision.
For example, if a driver is tailgating or distracted, they may not have enough time to notice and react to the vehicle in front slowing down or coming to a stop. This leads to a collision and is one of the primary causes of rear-end collisions.
It is important for drivers to maintain a safe following distance to prevent rear-end collisions. By doing so, they allow themselves enough time and space to react and stop safely if the vehicle in front of them slows down or stops abruptly.