Abstract: A collision avoidance system for vehicles is presented. The system includes at least one sensor for determining proximity information such as speed, direction and distance of one or more other vehicles in close proximity to a subject vehicle, a computer system for processing the proximity information to determine if collision is imminent between the subject vehicle and one or more of the other vehicles. The subject vehicle and the other vehicles with which collision is imminent have at least one electromagnet that can be activated to prevent or minimize the impending collision. The collision avoidance system may be coupled with the subject vehicle's engine control and the braking control to provide additional collision avoidance protection in addition to the repelling force resulting from activating the electromagnets of the subject vehicle and the one or more of other vehicles per the method of the invention.