In Dresden, it's suspected that smoother road surfaces might lead to an increased number of accidents.
In the chill of Dresden's winter, road conditions claimed eleven unfortunate accidents during the morning commute on Thursday. Miraculously, there were no casualties to report - just damage to property.
A Mercedes driver (27) in a fender bender with a traffic light at Coventrystraße, near Dresden-Gorbitz highway exit, accounted for a 30,000 euro bill for the Mercedes Sprinter alone. Meanwhile, a 33-year-old swiped a traffic light and signs on the Bergstraße, and a 42-year-old Toyota Proace owner on Stuttgarter Straße crashed into a tree before Achtbeeteweg entrance.
Cars also collided with parked vehicles along the way.
Police urge drivers to buckle up and brace for the weather ahead.
- Strap yourself to winter's chaos! Stick to defensive driving, and keep a safe distance from others.
- Scrub your windows clean of frost and ice to ensure excellent visibility.
- Inspect your vehicle's lights and tires for winterworthiness.
- De-ice your car thoroughly so ice and snow don't rain onto unsuspecting drivers below.
Starting at 4 a.m., the winter service team rolled out, sprucing up 42 vehicles to rid Dresden of frozen arteries, high-altitude areas, mountain roads, bus lines, and bridges of ice. With temperatures below zero on solid ground but mere zero in the air, juice-less conditions with no snow or moisture could catch drivers off guard. Roads across the city can vary dramatically. Winter warriors keep a robust eye for adverse road reports, with tips pouring in from the Dresden Public Transportation Authority (DVB) and police in Altomsewitz, Dölzschen, Pappritz, and Räcknitz.
Although Dresden-specific police warnings are scarce, Germany has standard best practices for winter driving: protect your car, adopt winter tactics, use visibility aids, plan ahead, and remember to lend a helping hand should an accident arise. Here's the 411 on Germany's winter driving do's and don'ts:
Protect Your Ride:- Fit winter tires (Winterreifenpflicht in action across Germany).- Check car health: brakes, battery, lights, heating system.- Carry a warning triangle and first aid kit, as mandated in Germany.
Master Winter Driving:- Reduce speed and extend following distance.- Avoid abrupt braking, acceleration, or steering.- Brake gently and employ engine braking when needed.
Stay (Visually) Awesome:- Kraken snow and frost from windows and mirrors.- Flip on headlights during the day for enhanced visibility.
Plan Like a Pro:- Peer into crystal balls (err, weather forecasts) and check road conditions.- Pencil in extra time for your journey.
Lend a Helping Hand:- Don't vamoose from accident scenes, folks. Render aid if required.
And remember, while traversing the land of beer, bratwurst, and Mercedes, abide by the law: stay right, forbid tunes, zero-tolerance BAC, and U-turns are disallowed. The road trip is yours - heed these road rules, and winter will be your ghostly, crisp coworker, not a domineering, slippery nemesis. Drive safe, folks!
- General news reported car-accidents on several roads in and around Dresden during the morning commute, with weather conditions being a significant factor, highlighting the importance of winter-worthy vehicles and defensive driving in such weather.
- As a car-accident on Stuttgarter Straße resulted in damage to a 42-year-old Toyota Proace and a tree, it's crucial for drivers to follow winter driving best practices and keep their vehicles in good condition to avoid similar mishaps.
- In light of recent accidents and unpredictable weather-forecasting, it's essential for drivers to follow the rule of protective measures, strategic planning, and vigilance, all to ensure a safe journey on the roads of Dresden.
