Why would Autopilot have a warning for frontal collisions but not for rear collisions? And why would Autopilot be speed-limited and all that if it was able to use launch mode to avoid a rear collision?
Great habit, but after seeing over 10,000 charts for chiropractic cases (was working on IT software to categorized it) I learnt another trick that many doctors tell their patients (unfortunately after the fact):
Once in a emergency breaking situation, before you look into the mirror, secure your neck/back of your head as hard as you can into the headrest cushion. This trick will "unite" your head with the seat and in rear-end, it will push you and the car both at the same time, instead of - from what I seen in 80% of Chiro cases - your seat head cushion hitting your head in a moment when its pulled hard to the back due to G-forces related to being in a rear-end.
I have to say seeing some photos I quickly got into a habit of first doing that, next checking mirror - if I assume someone might not make it and I still have room upfront, I go forward as fast and as close as I securely can.
Do that a few times and even the most persistent tailgater gets it and either changes lanes or stops riding your ass.
On freeways, each lane tends to develop its own speed, and at 4+ lanes the cognitive load starts to overwhelm me, especially when the relative speed difference between neighboring lanes is very high. At this point anyone in a slow lane may decide to try to pull out into the fast lane, or someone from the faster lanes might try to squeeze in to the queue of waiting cars; meanwhile if you try to unilaterally lessen the speed difference, the people behind and around you will get antsy and aggressive, often defeating the point.
These situations are some of the most dangerous that most driver experience: high speeds, large discrepancy between speeds, and limited escape paths.
Please don't do this in the snow or in wet conditions. Sharp actions are what will make other cars change direction or magnify the effects of drivers that you have caused to panic. Putting on your hazards and slowing at a deliberate pace is safer for everyone behind you.
Does anyone know if these braking systems account for people driving behind you? And if a collision is inevitable, what do they "choose"?
I would think in theory they could use the camera alone to detect an approaching vehicle, and take some remedial action.
And would this reduce the impact from behind if it were to happen?
That's the decision I had to make one day. I saw a car coming to hit me from the rear. I took my foot off the brake and gripped the steering wheel, leaned back and relaxed. It worked out well, but I've always wondered if the brakes make any difference one way or the other.