What's the rule on making sudden stops causing vehicular accidents?

[praetor91313]

I was reading a thread in the goon squad section when I remembered this question that's been at the back of my mind that's never been clearly answered satisfactorily:

Ano po ba ang rule pag nag-sudden stop ka at natamaan ka ng sasakyan sa likod mo?

It's been argued by some of those I talked to that making sudden stops is a no-no and if you made one and you're hit by another vehicle in the back, you're the one liable.

Some argue that if you hit someone who made a sudden stop, then you're the one who's liable since you were following too close in the first place.

I've been in two not-so-serious collisions before, one was in the taguig fly-over. A vehicle in front of us suddenly stopped and I did the same thing. Problem was, the taxi behind us didn't quite make it and hit my rear bumper. When I confronted him, he kept shouting that it was my fault since I made a sudden stop. "Bakit ka kasi nag-sudden stop?!" He kept on telling me. Anyways, we let it go since the damage in both of our bumpers were minor. Mine appeared worse at first dahil naka-crumple paloob, but after a few minutes I saw that it straightened out by itself.

Then just the other christmas, as I was travelling along the skyway, I hit a car at its rear when it made a sudden stop. Actually, there were three of us involved in the accident. As usual, pag christmas inaayos ang skyway and there was a crew in a van who were positioned just after a rise on the road kaya medyo late na pag makikita mo sila.

Nagpreno yung kotse na nasa harap ng kotse na nasa harap ko and of course the car in front of me also made a sudden stop. There was a 3-car space in front of me and I thought I could make it so I didn't floor the brakes initially pero nung nakita ko na di na aabot, I tried a full stop.

Di umabot.

At the police station, I was told by the policeman that it was my fault since I hit the other car from behind. I told him the other driver made a sudden full stop and that's why I hit him. The police officer told me if that were the case, then it was still my fault since the fact that I hit the other car means I was driving too close. I told him it's my habit to maintain a distance of at least three vehicles fron the car in front of me and that I was never "too close" but the policeman won't listen to reason. Finally, he told me I either had to receive a ticket (which would cost me P1,000 plus day attending a seminar at QC) or I could just settle the matter with him for a mere P500.

Anyways, I was contending that the skyway is a highway and one doesn't do sudden fullstops at highways.

What do you guys think?

Tapos na ang incidents na to. I just wanted to know what you think so I can finally know what's right.

Thanks!

[ghosthunter]

Typical would be the fault of the car behind you for following too close if there is no other circumstances around the accident.

[ericp]

I agree.

You should be prepared to stop before hitting the car in front in such situation. You hit me from behind, your fault....as a rule.

It means that the distance that you maintain between your bumper and the car in front must be calculated according to your car's braking distance...not necessarily 3 car lengths all the time or any distance for that matter....closer in heavy traffic, much farther at high speeds.

Imagine a car in front (at NLEX , 100 kph for example) of you blowing out a tire , out of control....you're coming too fast, too close...bam!

With the right distance you may be able to serve to avoid collision.....'wag tutok ....para di salpok ika nga.....and tutok (how far or how near) is a relative term.

Factor in the fact that the car in front may suddenly stop...low chance but it happens. Murphy's Law Rules!

Never argue with the other driver. No driver will admit fault.....as a rule. Just smile and simply write your account of the incident on a piece of paper and sign it. Silence has its virtues sometimes. Take pictures ...360 degrees.

Give it to the investigator...that facilitates things. The pen is more diplomatic at times than the tongue

If you're not in agreement with the findings, there's always the court. But it's for another chapter

Keep distance..... Wag tutok..galit barok....If you can read this, you're driving too close.....distansya amigo.....don't bump my rear....

They all came from bitter experiences with getting hit from behind....the car in front may be slow but it's still ahead of you and is in your way......the road is a public place...chaos lurks.....the defensive driver wins.


Safe driving to all!

[oj88]

By default, the car behind will be at fault. However, if the car in front engineered or intentionally caused the accident and you're able to prove it (by way of witnesses), MAYBE you'll have a fighting chance.

[ericp]

Oh and by the way, you may assume that the taxi ,bus, truck driver (or you too maybe) is able to drive that day only because of the temporary effect of so called "energy drinks".

no drink can replace sleep...REM sleep for that matter......very dangerous situation...lack of sleep and ability to focus.....eager to tailgate , i don't know why.......impaired reflexes and slow reaction times!

Consider installing all around rubber bumpers....ala bump car!

[oj88]

Consider installing all around rubber bumpers....ala bump car!

Force field. FTW! :D

[ericp]

This link gives a table of TYPICAL BRAKING DISTANCES. A good guide in deciding how far you should be from the car in front based on your speed:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum.../dg_070645.pdf

Average car length is 13 feet.
For example, at ~90 kph, you need 55 meters (olympic size pool is 50m) of space to come to a stop after you step on the brake pedal....

Safe driving!

[xtremerider]

Ano po ba ang rule pag nag-sudden stop ka at natamaan ka ng sasakyan sa likod mo?

It's been argued by some of those I talked to that making sudden stops is a no-no and if you made one and you're hit by another vehicle in the back, you're the one liable.

Some argue that if you hit someone who made a sudden stop, then you're the one who's liable since you were following too close in the first place.

By default, the car behind will be at fault. However, if the car in front engineered or intentionally caused the accident and you're able to prove it (by way of witnesses), MAYBE you'll have a fighting chance.

The Practice in driving according to this issue is, whoever position at the back is the one liable...

You should give at least a 5 meter safe distance from the car in front of you so you can maneuver or apply your break incase a sudden stop aquired by the one you are following.

This practice also applies not only here in the philippines but from other countries.

Safe Ride...

[ericp]

Force field. FTW! :D

I'll love that! Computer , Shields Up...Romulans on starboard!

[ericp]

Average car length is 13 feet.
For example, at ~90 kph, you need 55 meters (olympic size pool is 50m) of space to come to a stop after you step on the brake pedal....


THAT's FOURTEEN CAR LENGTHS at ~90 Kph .........

Be safe...

[raby leon]

The rule will largely depends on the present circumstances, what kind of obstacle is up ahead(pothole or barrier), speed, reflex of driver, sorroundings, etc. The only logical reason why there are no-nos in sudden stop specially coming from a high speed run is the likelihood of getting smash at the rear.

For instance, in a highway running at over 90 or 100kph, suddenly a big pothole appeared, drivers quick glance at rear view showed car running at almost equal speed, both your sides are occupied with other cars, no way to swerve, then what will you do?
Probable scenario would be;
a. Your instinc and reflex is to naturally slam the brakes to the metal, most probably the car behind you will be caught by surprise, too late to catch up braking the speed, smashed your rear, caused heavy damage, not to mention possible injuries to the passengers(heavens forbid).
b. Smart & split second moves would dictate you to ran over the pothole, dont stop suddenly but you can reduce speed slowly to cushion or lessen potential damage in the underchassis parts. Car behind will have time to see your brake light and would most likely catch the brakes way ahead of time, avoid getting reared, presto...no heavy damage, no accident, no casualty, no wasted time. In most cases, small damage may appear in later time in the suspension parts due to sudden impact.

As per the law states; Whoever hit someone is liable and at fault regardless of position, distance, speed etc. So if driver A rear ended driver B who is ahead of him due to sudden stop, that is the responsibility of former while the latter is the victim. Unless you are both running backward.

Regards

[p_borj]

Bump from behind, palaging yung nasa rear ang may fault.

Share ko lang po yung experience ko and to warn you tsikoteers na rin since this may be a modus operandi na baka ma-encounter niyo.

It happened 2-3 months ago na. So here it is.

I was driving at this street, my cruise speed is 40-50km/h, since I'm not a tailgater driver (I always drive with at least 3-6 meters distance between the car in front of me and mine), at my back is a tailgating motorcycle (lam niyo naman mga nagmomotorsiklo).

So back at the story, ang nasa harap ko ay isang bulok na sasakyan (70's or 80's pa ang model so luma na talaga). Nasa gitna ng kalye yung lane namin so cruising at around 40-50km/h, bigla siyang prumeno nang walang ka-abog-abog and dahil wala itong brake lights, hindi ko napansin kung brake to the metal nga ang ginawa niya. Napansin ko nalang na kailangan ko na palang umapak ng malakas sa brakes and then..

ayun, I did'nt hit the lokbu car, and bam, yung motorsiklo sa likod ko ang tumama sa akin. wasak headlights niya and nayupi likod ng advie ko bwiset. I looked at the lokbu car, ayun mga 5 lalake ang nasa loob, mukhang mga goons, kinatok ko pero nagmamadali daw sila at may pupuntahan sila (pero prumeno sa gitna ng kalye at full stop).

so nagbayad naman ang nakabanggang motorsiklo sa amin, nag-share lang ako ng experience sa inyo dahil sa tingin ko yung lumang sasakyan na nag-full stop eh naghahanap ng disgrasya dahil sa kanila eh walang mawawala sa auto. Kukuyugin ka nalang bigla siguro kung natamaan mo sila at hihingan ka ng pera eh samantalang lokbu na yung kotse.

So ayun, ingat lang palagi mga tsikoteers and please iwasan ang tumutok sa harapan niyo please lang.

[kulotz]

The rule will largely depends on the present circumstances, what kind of obstacle is up ahead(pothole or barrier), speed, reflex of driver, sorroundings, etc. The only logical reason why there are no-nos in sudden stop specially coming from a high speed run is the likelihood of getting smash at the rear.

For instance, in a highway running at over 90 or 100kph, suddenly a big pothole appeared, drivers quick glance at rear view showed car running at almost equal speed, both your sides are occupied with other cars, no way to swerve, then what will you do?
Probable scenario would be;
a. Your instinc and reflex is to naturally slam the brakes to the metal, most probably the car behind you will be caught by surprise, too late to catch up braking the speed, smashed your rear, caused heavy damage, not to mention possible injuries to the passengers(heavens forbid).
b. Smart & split second moves would dictate you to ran over the pothole, dont stop suddenly but you can reduce speed slowly to cushion or lessen potential damage in the underchassis parts. Car behind will have time to see your brake light and would most likely catch the brakes way ahead of time, avoid getting reared, presto...no heavy damage, no accident, no casualty, no wasted time. In most cases, small damage may appear in later time in the suspension parts due to sudden impact.

As per the law states; Whoever hit someone is liable and at fault regardless of position, distance, speed etc. So if driver A rear ended driver B who is ahead of him due to sudden stop, that is the responsibility of former while the latter is the victim. Unless you are both running backward.

Regards

hmm papaano kung concrete barier yung nasa harap at hindi pothole? yung mga concrete barier na naout of place kasi me ginawa sa areA? me nangyari na sa akin na ganun hehe buti wala cars sa likod

[kulotz]

Bump from behind, palaging yung nasa rear ang may fault.

Share ko lang po yung experience ko and to warn you tsikoteers na rin since this may be a modus operandi na baka ma-encounter niyo.

It happened 2-3 months ago na. So here it is.

I was driving at this street, my cruise speed is 40-50km/h, since I'm not a tailgater driver (I always drive with at least 3-6 meters distance between the car in front of me and mine), at my back is a tailgating motorcycle (lam niyo naman mga nagmomotorsiklo).

So back at the story, ang nasa harap ko ay isang bulok na sasakyan (70's or 80's pa ang model so luma na talaga). Nasa gitna ng kalye yung lane namin so cruising at around 40-50km/h, bigla siyang prumeno nang walang ka-abog-abog and dahil wala itong brake lights, hindi ko napansin kung brake to the metal nga ang ginawa niya. Napansin ko nalang na kailangan ko na palang umapak ng malakas sa brakes and then..

ayun, I did'nt hit the lokbu car, and bam, yung motorsiklo sa likod ko ang tumama sa akin. wasak headlights niya and nayupi likod ng advie ko bwiset. I looked at the lokbu car, ayun mga 5 lalake ang nasa loob, mukhang mga goons, kinatok ko pero nagmamadali daw sila at may pupuntahan sila (pero prumeno sa gitna ng kalye at full stop).

so nagbayad naman ang nakabanggang motorsiklo sa amin, nag-share lang ako ng experience sa inyo dahil sa tingin ko yung lumang sasakyan na nag-full stop eh naghahanap ng disgrasya dahil sa kanila eh walang mawawala sa auto. Kukuyugin ka nalang bigla siguro kung natamaan mo sila at hihingan ka ng pera eh samantalang lokbu na yung kotse.

So ayun, ingat lang palagi mga tsikoteers and please iwasan ang tumutok sa harapan niyo please lang.

baka sa pagmamadali nung prepreno na nagkaroon ng adrenaline na napalakas tapak haha! o kaya, testing ng preno? haha, kaso kung testing ng preno hindi maganda lugar ng pinagtestingan nila:P

[niky]

This link gives a table of TYPICAL BRAKING DISTANCES. A good guide in deciding how far you should be from the car in front based on your speed:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum.../dg_070645.pdf

Average car length is 13 feet.
For example, at ~90 kph, you need 55 meters (olympic size pool is 50m) of space to come to a stop after you step on the brake pedal....

Safe driving!

This is the rule I usually follow. I always keep a minimum gap of two seconds between me and the car in front, letting it open up to the said fifty meter gap at 100 km/h.

There is absolutely no reason to be following another car at closer than a two or three second interval. If you hit the car in front of you, it's your own damn fault for following too close.

I admit, I'm sometimes guilty of closing up to two or three car lengths when I can see around the car in front of me, getting ample warning of obstacles in front of him... simply out of habit... but this is no guarantee of safety.

Of course, if you're the idiot who brakes to a stop in the middle of a highway for a small pothole, causing a multi-car collision... I will feel free to beat the f*** out of you...

When people start tailgating me, I pull out of the way, if I can... slow down to force them to pass... or start playing the cha-cha with the brake pedal, to get them off my ass...

[kulotz]

When people start tailgating me, I pull out of the way, if I can... slow down to force them to pass... or start playing the cha-cha with the brake pedal, to get them off my ass...

yan ba yung babagalan mu para mairita yung nasa likod mo? yun ang gawain ko minsan minsan rin nagchachange lane ako pag me natutok sa likod kasi madalas yung mga tumututok nakabright arggh nakakasilaw sa rear view at side view!

[BratPAQ]

guilty din ako minsan dito eh, pano naman kasi pag nagbigay ka ng ample breaking distance between your car and the car in front of you eh may biglang magchachange ng lane papunta sa yo (dalas wala pang signal) dahil nakita nila yung "gap" as an "opportunity". ang siste, babagalan mo na naman hanggang magkaroon ka ulit ng distansya, may makakakita na naman ng "opportunity" hanggang bandang huli eh nagagalit na yung nasa likod mo sa dami mong pinasisingit.

[niky]

guilty din ako minsan dito eh, pano naman kasi pag nagbigay ka ng ample breaking distance between your car and the car in front of you eh may biglang magchachange ng lane papunta sa yo (dalas wala pang signal) dahil nakita nila yung "gap" as an "opportunity". ang siste, babagalan mo na naman hanggang magkaroon ka ulit ng distansya, may makakakita na naman ng "opportunity" hanggang bandang huli eh nagagalit na yung nasa likod mo sa dami mong pinasisingit.

If you drive properly... accelerate and brake at the same time as the guy in front of you, even if your follow-distance is somewhat long, this will not usually happen. If you hesitate too long when the car in front of you accelerates, then it will... when I pay attention to my driving, I don't usually get people squeezing in in front of me. When I don't feel like staying in touch with the car in front, I let them go ahead. No sense bottling up traffic just to defend a patch of concrete that I don't own, right?

[BratPAQ]

If you drive properly... accelerate and brake at the same time as the guy in front of you, even if your follow-distance is somewhat long, this will not usually happen. If you hesitate too long when the car in front of you accelerates, then it will... when I pay attention to my driving, I don't usually get people squeezing in in front of me. When I don't feel like staying in touch with the car in front, I let them go ahead. No sense bottling up traffic just to defend a patch of concrete that I don't own, right?

ewan ko kung san ka nagdadrive ngayon, pero sa pinas, ang mga motorista, lalo na ang mga jeepney driver at bus eh papasukin pag may nakita silang butas, especially sa stop and go trapik, di pwedeng maglagay ka ng ample distance dahil pag nakita ng katabi mong mas mabilis ang abante sa lane mo, sisiksik yan at ipipilit ang sasakyan nila, tapos pag lane naman nila ang bumilis babalik ulit sa lane nila yan (di mapakali sa lane nila). but i usually let them go, lalo na pag nagsignal naman.

[CVT]

hmm papaano kung concrete barier yung nasa harap at hindi pothole? yung mga concrete barier na naout of place kasi me ginawa sa areA? me nangyari na sa akin na ganun hehe buti wala cars sa likod

Now, this one is tricky.... You need to slow down (do not stop), glance at your side mirror and seize the opportunity to "steal" from the other lane while pressing hard on the gas pedal, without hitting the vehicle in front of you. And then, return to your original lane......

8505:bat: