Blog bad weather traffic accidents
Ah springtime in the Rockies. We have been going from temps in the upper 60s & 70s to upper 20s and low 30s with rain and snow. So today, the roads were slick with ice covered by snow.
Between yesterday and last night at least 4 public service vehicles slid off the road and nk telling how many civilians.
About 1100 2016-04-30 there were reports of traffic accidents with injuries on the interstate blocking the west bound lanes. It took a good 30 minutes for the first fire/EMS to get to the scene because of the other vehicles blocking the flow of traffic [for miles] . Responding vehicles had to weave in and out between stopped vehicles and drive on the shoulder of the road. Due to the stopped cars in the way they the fire chief requested that the neighboring county respond units from their direction which was still flowing.
During the hour plus of this incident to this point police, fire/EMS did the best they could as it was a very dynamic situation.
Lessons learned and points to ponder.
When the road in front is blocked especially on the interstate there is NO reason to go around stopped cars [in the right hand lane] just so that you can stop up the left hand lane. If you are driving in the passing lane and see blockage ahead do your best to change into the right hand [driving] lane. The left hand lane should be left clear for emergency vehicles.
This is another situation where having vehicle to vehicle communications [like ships have] for local area Comms would be great to get local road reports. Yes, cell phones are great for specific point to point Comms. Cell phones on the other hand are not so good when it comes to talking a few cars over unless you know their phone number. Given that most if not all truckers already have CB radios, CBs are great for local information.
The biggest issue is that comes to mind is….. If you don’t HAVE to travel during bad weather, STAY HOME. IF you do have to travel during bad weather be sure to top off the gas tank. Let family know where you are going, what your plans are and when you expect to be home.
What I would like to see the vehicle manufacturers do is equip all new vehicles with with a built in FRS type radio that only has 1 or 2 frequencies on it so that cars can share information and receive directions from public services. This would be similar to ‘on-star’ except that it would be free and close in local.
What are your thoughts?
Cross ref – http://www.preparesurvivethrive.us/3-on-the-3s-for-3/