The law say that you must maintain a safe distance behind the...

The law say that you must maintain a safe distance behind the car in front and as such if you hit a veihical from behind your are at fault, no if's or buts.

Yes the car in front was deliberately stopping but if the car behind had maintained a safe distance it would not have rear ended.

I recall once I had a young hoon tailgating me, I touched on the brakes and forced him to do the same. I could see in the rear view mirror he was cursing me and again got up real close so I touched on the brakes again. Well that realy pissed him off and he did the same again. I thought to myself, this guys is a bit dumb so I hit the brakes again and this time held a bit longer. He finally got the message and backed off.

There is no excuse for rear ending another car except if you rear end a car then the car behind you rear ends you, you can claim the car that rear ended you pushed you into the car in front of you