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In an unfortunate incident last night, a collision occurred on Uellendahler Street, near the Elberfeld city center. The accident involved a 23-year-old Renault driver attempting to turn left from the McDonald's drive-thru exit and an 18-year-old VW driver heading in the opposite direction.
The incident took place under challenging conditions, with rain and darkness obscuring visibility. The emergency services were quick to respond, rerouting traffic around the accident scene to ensure safety and prevent further disruptions.
Both passengers in the involved vehicles were examined and treated at the scene by the emergency services. While the 23-year-old passenger in the Renault sustained minor injuries, neither passenger needed to be taken to the hospital. The 19-year-old passenger in the VW also reported minor injuries.
The collision caused a chain reaction, with the VW colliding into a parked BMW and a Dacia. Both the VW, Renault, and the damaged vehicles had to be towed away, and they will require expensive repairs in workshops, although they are not total losses.
Under German traffic regulations, drivers are obliged to yield to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians when emerging from a private property onto a public road, regardless of weather or lighting conditions. Drivers must reduce speed, increase following distance, and ensure their vehicle’s lights and windshield wipers are functioning properly to maintain visibility and control.
While there are no specific exceptions for turning left on red or from drive-thru exits, the general duty of care and prudent driving applies more stringently under adverse conditions like rain and darkness. The use of indicators and signaling is also mandatory to inform other road users of your intention, especially important in poor visibility conditions.
Despite the extensive damage and the need for repairs, only minor delays occurred due to the width of the road and the late hour. The Uellendahler Street was completely closed in the direction of the city center during the investigation and cleanup.
[1] Source: Verkehrsordnung (StVO) - Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (German Road Traffic Regulations) [2] Source: Straßenverkehrs-Zeichen (StVZO) - Straßenverkehrs-Zeichenverordnung (German Road Traffic Signs Ordinance) [5] Source: ADAC - Allgemeiner Deutsche Automobil-Club e.V. (German Automobile Club) - Safe Driving in Adverse Conditions Guidelines
The car-accidents on Uellendahler Street, a general-news item, occurred under challenging weather conditions, with rain and darkness making visibility poor. This accident, involving vehicles like the Renault and VW, resulted in several accidents, including damaged cars such as a BMW and a Dacia.