Here's the accident: http://i.imgur.com/fBvWdVS.gifv
Google is very obviously not to blame. I will say though, my mom taught me to always check the rearview mirror when I stop and if it looks like the guy behind me is coming in hot, to inch forward a bit. Google did everything right here, but I wonder if they will use this to adapt their algorithms somewhat.
Same here. The route I took from my house to the office had one bad stretch of road where 4 lanes cut to two lanes with two lanes onto the freeway (east = left lane, west = right lane.) The amount of side swipes and rear ends I've seen there is insane. I pay so much attention to the cars to the sides of me as well. I'm so paranoid. I try not to drive directly next to and especially not in between two cars. Try to give myself some room to escape in case someone decides to merge without looking, which is so common it's terrifying.
Perhaps they just need to get a big red sign saying STOP RIGHT THERE to pop up when someone is coming up too close behind them.Google did everything right here, but I wonder if they will use this to adapt their algorithms somewhat.