I-80 Closed for Three Hours
On Thursday afternoon, July 29, 2021, eastbound Interstate 80 was temporarily closed near Donner Summit after two separate big rig crashes, according to the Truckee division of the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Photographs taken at the scene showed two trucks blocking large portions of the road. One big rig had jackknifed, and the other had tipped onto its side. The involved lanes of I-80 were blocked for several hours. Footage from the Soda Springs traffic cameras, east of Donner Summit, revealed vehicles that were at a standstill on the highway. The portion of the highway that was closed spanned from the Donner Summit Rest Area to Vista Point.
The crashes happened at around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon. The highway was closed from shortly thereafter to sometime around 7:30 p.m. when it was reopened.
What Caused Two Big Rigs to Crash Near Truckee?
One likely cause of the two semi-truck incidents near Donner Summit was that the roads were wet because of a local thunderstorm. It is not confirmed that this was a cause, but newly wet roads are notoriously slick as they mix with the oil and debris that normally covers the highway surface. It is not known if either of the truck drivers sustained any injuries.
Why is New Rain on Roads Dangerous?
We often hear that road surfaces are more slippery following the first rain after a dry spell. When there is regular rain, materials on the roadway are consistently washed away. However, during dry weather, the substances on the highway surface, such as oils and residue from rubber tires build up and form a coating on the surface. Then, when raindrops start to fall, that built-up residue mixes with the rainwater to cause a slippery substance similar to an oil spill. This leaves the roadway slicker and greasier than normal, which increases the risk of vehicles skidding. Such road conditions require that vehicles allow for a longer braking distance.
Driving on Slick and Slippery Roads
Dry weather is the norm in Northern California during the summer. Sometimes though, a freak rainstorm with visit the region. If you are driving on the highways after a dry spell and raindrops start hitting your windshield, the first action you should take is to slow down and increase the distance between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Avoid hard braking or quick acceleration. Think of the conditions as similar to driving when the roads are icy, as the risk for skidding is similar. Any aggressive maneuvers increase the likelihood of a skid. If you do begin to skid, remain calm and turn your steering wheel gently in the direction of the skid until the tires regain traction.
Other dangers of speeding on road surface water include hydroplaning. When this happens, the vehicle’s tires are not in contact with the road surface. This greatly reduces your control of the vehicle. Couple these conditions with decreased visibility due to rain and perhaps an old pair of windshield wipers, and you can understand how new rain can cause danger on the roads.
Watch the YouTube video. The clip below, with tips for driving in the rain, has received over a million views.
Truckee Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, and thanks for reading our story about two separate big rig crashes on I-80. I’m Ed Smith, a Truckee personal injury attorney. Interstate 80 is the setting for many automobile accidents. Because it is an important commercial route, quite a few of those are semi-truck accidents. Whenever a passenger vehicle is involved in a crash with a big rig, the risk of severe injuries is high. If you have been injured in a vehicle crash caused by another driver, call us at (530) 392-9400 or at (800) 404-5400 to receive our free and friendly legal advice.
Have a look at our verdicts and case settlements as well as our client reviews, which can be found at the sites below:
Picture: https://pixabay.com/photos/road-sign-red-warning-caution-4244285/
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