noun [ U ]
disapproving
uk /ˈrʌb.ə.nek.ɪŋ/ us /ˈrʌb.ɚ.nek.ɪŋ/
the activity of looking at something in a stupid way, especially when this involves driving more slowly to look at an accident / the act of slowing down while driving to look at something interesting, esp. an accident:
Use
There are delays due to rubbernecking at the scene of the accident.
How is Rubbernecking used?
Although this is mainly an Americanism, Rubbernecking is being used more and more commonly in the UK to describe “onlookers” or “spectators” at the scene of an accident on a road / motorway.
This is particularly in traffic reports where multiple words would have been used previously, they can simply be condensed to this one phrase “Rubbernecking” which encompasses all.
So what is it in practice?
The first experience of this practice usually comes from being stuck in a traffic jam, moving slowly, only to discover that the hold-up was on the opposite carriageway.
In this situation, the drivers ahead of you are the ones causing the hold up by slowing down to look (Rubberneck) at an incident on the other side of the road.
Why does this happen?
For most people its a normal reaction to danger.
We slow down and use our eyes to evaluate if it will affect us.
However in the situation above, where reason tells us its not going to as its on the other side of a barrier, we really should be able to judge and move on fairly quickly, but sometimes, this simply doesn’t happen.
So whilst annoying and frustrating – Rubbernecking is understandable and usually rights itself fairly quickly as you know you do not actually need to know the details of the incident that’s happened and you DO need to remain in control of your own vehicle and continue moving.
Rubbernecking for an extended period puts you and others in danger, so try to be aware of the whole issue and remain calm and move on.
