Rubber necking part 2

[woodpam]

I've seen this happen - an accident occurs in front of you and you brake sharply to avoid the possibility of joining in. The cars behind you all (hopefully!) do the same thing to avoid rear ending each other. Everyone looks towards the accident to make sure they avoid it. Is this 'rubbernecking' which seems to be a derogatory description of this behaviour, or a natural instinct for self preservation?

[TheHitMaker]

No, this is not rubberfnecking, this is, as you say, common sense! Rubbernecking is if you are on a dual carriageway and slow down to look at an accident which has happened on the opposite carriageway, thereby slowing down the traffic needlessly.

[xyzzyplugh]

This phrase is not exclusively concerned with car crashes. It can indicate any kind of extreme nosiness (and has been in use longer than cars?)

[andjac]

there is also the term swan-necking,it's trying to get a sneakey look without anyone noticing