'Very Chaotic Scene' On I-96 As 3 Dead, 11 Hurt In 40-vehicle Pileup

'Very chaotic scene' on I-96 as 3 dead, 11 hurt in 40-vehicle pileup

Today's pileup began when snow blanketed I-96 near Fowlerville around 9:30 a.m. When that blanket of snow froze, the road surface became treacherous.

Wow. More cases of not driving slow enough for the conditions.

75 Car Pileup Shuts Down Interstate 90

I came up US 127 to I 96 in Lansing yesterday morning. Just south of 96 I got into a heavy snow squall. Couldn't see 2 truck lengths ahead of me so naturally I slowed and put my flashers on. Cars were flying past me at an easy 70 with no lights on. Trucks too. I don't understand why anyone would drive that way. When I got onto 96 in Lansing the road was iced over. Cars spun out and off the road on both sides. I had to creep at a walking pace for several miles and still had my empty trailer try to change lanes on me a couple times. And there were still cars AND trucks just cruising past on my left. Again... I don't get it.

59 Vehicles Involved In Pileup On Snowy, Slick I-80

PennDOT spokesman Jim Carroll says 22 tractor-trailers and 37 cars are involved in the crash on Interstate 80 in Jefferson County. He says the number and severity of injuries is unclear.

Are there any threads here re tips and tricks of what to do in these situations? How to avoid being in one these wrecks (going slow, avoiding the route, etc.) but also what to do if caught in one. The mind does funny things about what is the next logical step in a panic situation. For example, you come up on a massive wreck and stop on the highway without hitting anything. What's the next three things you should automatically do? What should you definitely NOT do?

Great question! Really great question. I'm also curious about what to do. I would guess that if you stopped completly the safest place is inside unless you absolutely had to get out, would you look around for mile markers, put your four ways and get on the radio and tell everyone going north/south/east/westbound to be prepared to stop at such and such mile marker also don't forget to pray as well God is faithful.! And call your company when it's over or during. I'm not sure, I'm just throwing some things out there! I'm interested in an answer as well, also if people need help, I'd imagine you'd help them but be very cautious of the seen.?

Thanks you all!

God bless

Vendingdude wrote:

Are there any threads here re tips and tricks of what to do in these situations? How to avoid being in one these wrecks (going slow, avoiding the route, etc.) but also what to do if caught in one. The mind does funny things about what is the next logical step in a panic situation. For example, you come up on a massive wreck and stop on the highway without hitting anything. What's the next three things you should automatically do? What should you definitely NOT do?

Yes, lots.

Type the words winter driving in the search bar (upper left), press enter. The search engine will return archived threads containing information relevant to winter driving.

Without stealing the thunder of those threads,...liberal use of basic common sense is the best way to approach winter driving.

Be safe.

Great question! Really great question. I'm also curious about what to do. I would guess that if you stopped completly the safest place is inside unless you absolutely had to get out, would you look around for mile markers, put your four ways and get on the radio and tell everyone going north/south/east/westbound to be prepared to stop at such and such mile marker also don't forget to pray as well God is faithful.! And call your company when it's over or during. I'm not sure, I'm just throwing some things out there! I'm interested in an answer as well, also if people need help, I'd imagine you'd help them but be very cautious of the seen.?

Thanks you all!

God bless

The four ways should have already been on because of limited visibility. Make one last CB "warning" broadcast. Given the situation if completely stopped, I'd grab a warm overcoat and get as far away from the potential impact zone as safely possible and fast. Call your company and 911. Go back and help once it's obvious things have stabilized. That's what I would do.

Very tough situation. I've been behind pile ups like this but for the grace of God, never "in" one.

You couldn't pay me enough to drive a tanker. Tanker went over the side onto the CSX tracks below. About 2:50 into the video a FedEx Freight driver barely stops in-time before joining the pile-up. Though I'm sure he probably was hit afterwards.

On-scene Video of the I-95 Pileup Near Baltimore