A 55-year-old woman dashed into a truck on the A4 near Gera without applying the brakes, resulting in severe injuries. According to initial reports, the driver had unwittingly overlooked the stationary truck as it halted due to a traffic jam leading to Frankfurt.
The impact from the collision sent the woman's car careening across the entire left lane before coming to a halt against the central crash barrier. Emergency services were required to extricate her from the wreckage, and she was transported to the hospital with critical injuries.
The collision caused extensive traffic disruptions, leading to the A4 in the direction of Frankfurt being closed for nearly three hours.
While authority investigations are underway to determine if the woman's failure to break was due to distractions caused by the preceding traffic jam, experts highlight the danger of distracted driving as a significant factor in road accidents, including those triggered by traffic congestion.
Distractions while on the road can stem from various sources, with daydreaming being the leading cause of fatal crashes, accounting for 63% of incidents. Cell phone use, including texting, dialing, and calling, follows closely, contributing to 12% of such accidents. Other distractions, such as concentrating on the scenery, speaking to passengers, or altering car controls, make up the remaining percentages.
To combat distracted driving, drivers are advised to avoid distractions entirely before setting off, concentrate on the road, and make preparations for their journey beforehand. Maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles and adjusting speed according to road conditions can also help prevent accidents during traffic jams.
The Gera police appeal to drivers to prioritize road safety by staying attentive, adhering to traffic regulations, and avoiding distractions to minimize the risk of accidents with life-threatening consequences or prolonged traffic congestion.
Sources: stern.de
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Distractions on the road can jeopardize the lives of drivers and other road users. A factor that increases the likelihood of distracted driving incidents is traffic jams, which can irritate and tempt drivers to engage in distracting activities, heightening their risk of being involved in accidents. While specific statistics on the occurrence of accidents due to failure to brake during traffic jams are not readily available, evidence from alternative sources points to distracted driving as a significant contributor to on-road collisions.
In order to safeguard themselves and others on the road, drivers are recommended to avoid distractions during their travels and stay focused on the primary task at hand. Common distractors, like daydreaming, cell phone usage, and other distractions, can be mitigated through concerted efforts to minimize these factors before starting the journey and maintaining a safe and responsible driving attitude. By adhering to these guidelines, drivers can effectively minimize their chances of getting involved in serious traffic jams and accidents.
