If you are about to be hit from behind while stopped, what should you do?

Releasing the brake and bracing for impact is the correct response when you anticipate being hit from behind while stopped. This action helps to prevent additional injuries that could occur if your vehicle is jolted forward into traffic or another vehicle. By releasing the brake, you allow the vehicle to roll slightly forward upon impact, which can reduce the severity of the collision and minimize the force experienced by your body. Bracing for impact involves securing your body and anticipating the forward motion, which can also help to reduce the risk of injury.

Turning on emergency flashers, getting out of the vehicle, or sounding the horn repeatedly, while they may seem reasonable in certain contexts, do not specifically address the immediate concern of impending collision impact. Emergency flashers signal other drivers to be cautious but do not mitigate the risk of being hit. Exiting the vehicle in a situation where you are stopped on a roadway could expose you to additional danger, especially if the surrounding traffic is moving. Using the horn may alert other drivers, but it does not directly protect you from the impact itself. Hence, preparing for the collision by releasing the brake and bracing yourself is the most effective strategy in this scenario.