While returning to the Portland area from Seattle recently, I encountered 5 separate accidents along the route on I-5. Each one shut down or slowed down traffic in both directions. It made a hot August drive almost twice as long.
Why both directions?
1. Emergency vehicles responding from both directions
2. "Rubber-Neckers" slowing down to get a view
3. Faster moving "Rubber-Neckers" rear-endeding the slower "rubber-neckers" in front of them
4. Dry vegetation catching fire along side the freeway from one of the wrecks
5. Injured people being treated and their wreckage blocking the road.
6. Vehicles breaking down while waiting for the traffic to clear by running out of gas, over-heating radiators, etc.
7. The domino effect
What did I learn?
1. I re-discovered the harsh reality that Getting-Outta-Dodge on freeways won't be possible during a major event. (This was just an average Sunday in August! Imagine what panic would add to it.)
2. Some of these wrecks caused traffic to be backed-up from one city to the next.
3. Depending on where you get caught in the traffic, there may be no exit, alternative route or way out.
4. Before you can act, you get blocked-in from vehicles around you. They get blocked-in as well. In an instant, everyone is stuck until the traffic clears. Therefore, stay in the slow lane so you can exit to the right to get off-road.
5. Buy a helicopter that can fold up to go in your trunk.
Why both directions?
1. Emergency vehicles responding from both directions
2. "Rubber-Neckers" slowing down to get a view
3. Faster moving "Rubber-Neckers" rear-endeding the slower "rubber-neckers" in front of them
4. Dry vegetation catching fire along side the freeway from one of the wrecks
5. Injured people being treated and their wreckage blocking the road.
6. Vehicles breaking down while waiting for the traffic to clear by running out of gas, over-heating radiators, etc.
7. The domino effect
What did I learn?
1. I re-discovered the harsh reality that Getting-Outta-Dodge on freeways won't be possible during a major event. (This was just an average Sunday in August! Imagine what panic would add to it.)
2. Some of these wrecks caused traffic to be backed-up from one city to the next.
3. Depending on where you get caught in the traffic, there may be no exit, alternative route or way out.
4. Before you can act, you get blocked-in from vehicles around you. They get blocked-in as well. In an instant, everyone is stuck until the traffic clears. Therefore, stay in the slow lane so you can exit to the right to get off-road.
5. Buy a helicopter that can fold up to go in your trunk.