Rear-end vehicle collisions on the rise

Rear-end collisions have risen by 7% in the last three years, according to Accident Exchange.

The courtesy vehicle provider says that the increase has raised the likelihood that motorists are driving accident-damaged vehicles that may not be safe, despite appearing to only have cosmetic damage.

The company has warned that even minor bumps can compromise the structural integrity of vehicles. It added that components at the front of the car such as airbag sensors, can be if damaged even at low speeds and can reduce the effectiveness of other safety features.

Accident Exchange says that the rise highlights the need for dealers, bodyshops and fleet managers to educate drivers over accident damage and the need for good quality repair services.

Liz Fisher, director of sales development at Accident Exchange, said that after almost any accident, it was important that any damage was checked by a professional at an approved bodyshop.

“Anecdotally, we have heard stories about some non-fault drivers who will settle privately and keep the insurance money rather than have repairs done,” she said.

“The advent of better, more sophisticated safety technology on cars has certainly not yet eliminated low-speed accidents.

“For dealers, this is an opportunity because, if all vehicles are not being repaired as they should be after a crash, there must be a need to improve awareness among customers.”

Mark Dugdale