Why are rear-end crashes common on highways?

Answer: A — Many drivers follow too closely

Rear-end crashes are common on highways primarily because many drivers follow too closely, also known as tailgating. When drivers maintain insufficient following distance, they do not have enough time to react to sudden stops or changes in speed of the vehicle in front of them. High speeds on highways can exacerbate this issue, as stopping distance increases significantly. A driver who is too close to the vehicle ahead may not be able to brake in time to avoid a collision if the car in front decides to slow down or comes to a stop unexpectedly. Maintaining a safe distance allows for better reaction time and decreases the likelihood of such accidents occurring.