What do you call the factors that lead to many secondary crashes?

Rubbernecking refers to the act of drivers slowing down to observe an incident, often causing delays and contributing to subsequent accidents. This phenomenon typically occurs when drivers become distracted by a visible crash or emergency situation, leading them to divert their attention from the road ahead. As they slow down to look, this sudden change in speed can cause drivers behind them to also slow down unexpectedly, potentially resulting in additional collisions.

Understanding the impact of rubbernecking is crucial for traffic management and prevention of secondary crashes. It highlights the need for educating drivers about maintaining focus and the importance of avoiding distractions, particularly in the presence of roadside incidents. Other factors like lack of visibility, driver fatigue, and aggressive driving can also be dangerous in different contexts, but rubbernecking specifically captures the behavior that directly leads to multiple incidents stemming from an original crash.