What to do in a head-on collision: insights from the Vanderbijlpark crash

The release of dashcam footage from the Vanderbijlpark crash that claimed the lives of 14 schoolchildren has sparked anger, grief and speculation. Beyond the debate about blame, the footage forces a harder, more practical question of what to do if you found yourself in the same situation?

Head-on collisions are among the most violent crashes on South African roads. They happen fast, often with little warning, and they leave no margin for error.

According to defensive driving specialists, the key is not panic, but preparation – training your mind to override instinct in the critical seconds before impact.

There’s no doubt that many drivers have had close calls or even worse, considering our diabolical road accident statistics, and if you do find yourself in that unfortunate position, here are a few techniques to try and stay safe.

Expect the mistake

MasterDrive CEO Eugene Herbert says a defensive driver must always assume that someone else will make a bad decision.

“A possible head-on collision is something every defensive driver should expect and be prepared for. Drivers must accept that mistakes will be made by others and respond in a way that minimises risk for everyone,” he says.

There are no guarantees, but there are techniques that can reduce the severity of impact and, in some cases, prevent a collision.

Instinct vs training

Herbert says that our natural reactions are often the worst possible option.

“These techniques are often at war with instinct. Choosing the right reaction depends on understanding what happens in a potential head-on collision and responding appropriately.”

The difference between instinct and training can be the difference between control and chaos.

When an oncoming vehicle enters your lane

Scenario: A vehicle is overtaking and suddenly appears in your lane, heading straight for you.

Instinct: Most drivers try to escape the danger by swerving sharply. In many cases, both drivers instinctively head for the same space – often the left shoulder – creating what is known as a “faked left”.

Trained reaction: If you are the non-overtaking driver in the left-hand lane, do not move into the right-hand lane. While every situation is different, the safest option in most cases is to move left onto the shoulder or edge of the road, keeping your movements smooth and predictable.

Where you look matters

Scenario: You lock your eyes on the oncoming vehicle.

Instinct: Drivers tend to steer towards whatever they are looking at. It is a natural but dangerous reaction.

Trained reaction: Once you have identified the risk, shift your focus to where you want the vehicle to go – the open space or escape route. Looking away from the danger helps guide the car to safety.

Slowing down without losing control

Scenario: You realise you need to reduce speed quickly.

Instinct: Most drivers slam on the brakes. Without ABS, wheels can lock. Even with ABS, a sudden, extreme speed change will destabilise the vehicle.

Trained reaction: Lift off the accelerator and apply the brakes progressively. As speed comes down, you retain steering control and can make deliberate, calculated movements rather than last-second corrections.

Herbert notes that drivers in the left lane will often instinctively create a gap for the overtaking vehicle to return to their lane, avoiding the need for extreme evasive action.

When the shoulder is not clear

Scenario: The left side of the road is lined with trees, poles or deep ditches.

Instinct: Freeze, brake hard, or yank the steering wheel at the last moment.

Trained reaction: Even with obstacles present, it is still generally safer to steer left than to absorb a full head-on impact. Aim for a glancing blow rather than a frontal crash. Side impacts, while serious, usually dissipate energy more effectively than a direct collision.

A tragedy that demands action

Herbert says improved training is a necessary starting point.

“MasterDrive supports calls from society and proposals from government for scholar transport drivers to undergo greater training. This is the first step in preventing needless loss of young lives on our roads.”

The organisation has developed a dedicated scholar transport training programme, which it says is available to service providers and other stakeholders.

Training alone will not fix South Africa’s road safety crisis. But understanding how to react and how to override instinct when seconds matter can make a critical difference when the worst-case scenario unfolds.