A head-on collision is one where the front ends of two ships, trains, planes or vehicles hit each other, as opposed to a side-collision or rear-end collision.

Rail transport

With rail, a head-on collision often implies a collision on a single line railway. This usually means that at least one of the trains has passed a signal at danger, or that a signalman has made a major error. Head-on collisions may also occur at junctions, for similar reasons.

Road transport

In the context of freeways, such collisions are particularly difficult to avoid, since freeways were designed to facilitate high-speed travel. The resulting car accidents are often fatal.

Some U.S. states have installed special signage at freeway off-ramps to discourage drivers from going the wrong way.

Transportation | Safety