Most drivers have had “near misses” at some point. Perhaps they spotted someone pulling out of a driveway late and only just managed to swerve to avoid hitting them. Maybe they were about to leave a light that had turned green when they saw a truck hurtling straight across them because the driver ignored a red light.
One study found that narrowly escaping a crash does not mean the danger is over — far from it. A near miss makes you more susceptible to an actual crash for the next few seconds.
How a near miss affects drivers
One theory that researchers have suggested is that drivers perform an action slower if they performed another action immediately before. For example, if you hit the brakes to avoid a crash, it might take you longer to turn the wheel to the left to avoid a driver who has drifted over the lane line toward you.
A near miss can be a big shock. It can disrupt your concentration leaving you more likely to miss something that you need to notice to avoid a crash. You might also be looking back toward the scene of the near miss, to see if the other party even noticed what almost happened. You might run the events over in your mind or discuss them with a passenger, trying to figure out how you almost crashed.
The study focused on just the immediate aftermath (less than a minute) following a near miss. However, people can sometimes feel shaky for a long time afterward, which can make them less likely to respond to other imminent dangers. Sometimes it is best to find a safe place to stop and gather your thoughts before continuing.
If you do have a crash and believe the other party was to blame, it’s important to make sure you’ve thoroughly explored your options for compensation. Having legal guidance helps.