Weather Causes Massive Crashes in Midwest

Updated 12:16 a.m. EST

Highways have reopened in the Kansas City area after an afternoon snow squall caused dozens of accidents.

Dozens of weather-related crashes have shut down stretches of several highways in the area. The largest accident involved upwards of 40 vehicles in a massive pileup on Interstate 70.

The University of Kansas Hospital reported 15 people were transported to their hospital and five were admitted, most of them apparently from a second pileup on Interstate 35 involving more than 20 vehicles. None of those that were transported has serious injuries.

On northbound Interstate 35 at 87th Street in Lenexa, a multi-vehicle wreck shut down traffic. No serious injuries were reported. At least 20 vehicles were believed to be involved in the wreck.

Kansas Highway Patrol officials closed westbound Interstate 70 at the K-7 highway interchange due to the largest pileup. In addition to dozens of cars and trucks, two Greyhound buses were involved, reports CBS affiliate KCTV in Kansas City.

Traffic was backed up as far as a mile and officials shut down the highway in both directions for several hours.

Two sets of accidents on I-435 near the Kansas River slowed traffic and wrecked at least five vehicles.

Authorities are urging motorists to use caution as falling snow makes driving more difficult.

The Overland Park Police Department was so busy attending to accident Sunday, officers opened walk in accident reporting, KCTV reported. Officers advised those vehicles involved in wrecks that have a drivable vehicle to drive to the Overland Park Police Department to report their accident.

[jscott418-21618367473133020464]

You have to wonder why so many travel in such bad weather? This is a problem that nobody can just shut down and wait for better weather. It really causes more injuries and insurance claims that could be avoided. The other issue is speed because it is always a issue in bad weather. Not to mention following distance to close which leads to these types of pile ups.

[noloyalisti]

According to the GOP, seatbelt laws are socialism. As are the highways, National Parks and Forests and Medicare. This just in: they are trying to get rid of all of it. Also they will require people to bring guns to school, coffee shops, baseball games and church. To keep everyone polite. And stop socialism from spreading.

[erb0087]

You can get reductions in your automobile insurance premiums if you take and pass a Defensive Driving course.

At least that's what my insurer told me.

[erb0087]

"Pileup on Interstate 70 Near Kansas City Involves 40 Cars, 2 Buses; 15 Injured, but None Seriously; Highways Reopen"
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No serious injuries in such a massive pileup...

Fortunately the law mandates seatbelts.

[displeased]

A good driver is a defensive driver who isn't distracted and is always aware of their surroundings. There is nothing wrong with driving fast if the conditions allow it. You can tell who the good drivers are. As soon as they pass someone, you'll see them use their signal to get back over in the right lane, only using the left lane to pass again. You won't see them doing several different distracting chores while in traffic. They know the "road rules" that enables an efficient flow of traffic.

Now with icy or snowy roads, a good driver will slow down and not tailgate. But every year I see the same old scenario where I'm passed by these invincible SUVs only to find them down the road flipped over in the median. Unfortunately there are too many bad drivers that us good drivers have to look out for.

[cashflo52]

What happened was a sudden drop in temp that froze the bridge, along with a 15-20minute white out. That why all the cars were piled up at the bridge. Sudden bridge freezing is common.
At least that is what a responding officer to the accident said on a local radio station this morning.

[formrusmcsgt]

What you do when the weather is this bad is STAY HOME. If you don't have to be anywhere, then don't drive. Not all these people were commuters. You know there were people driving for errands, shopping, dinner out, visiting, etc. THEY are good drivers...it doesn't matter how well you drive or how smart, all it takes is one mistake by someone in front of you and disaster. Leaving distance between you and the car in front of you is next to impossible, someone will always pull into that space

[Phxfire]

What you do when the weather is this bad is STAY HOME. If you don't have to be anywhere, then don't drive. Not all these people were commuters. You know there were people driving for errands, shopping, dinner out, visiting, etc. THEY are good drivers...it doesn't matter how well you drive or how smart, all it takes is one mistake by someone in front of you and disaster. Leaving distance between you and the car in front of you is next to impossible, someone will always pull into that space and if cars are sliding, they are going to go several feet at that speed before being 'stopped' by the cars in front of them.

[retm-w]

People get overconfident, they seem to think just because they have four wheel drive and there is snow on the road they can drive the same speed as dry roads.

[WitchBroom]

The 40+ vehicle pile up on I-70 at Kansas Highway 7 is located on the Kansas Turnpike. I used to frequently travel this stretch of interstate. Despite the 70 mph posted speed limit, you can drive 80 to 85 mph and people routinely pass you like you are standing still. It's surprising the pile up was only 40+ vehicles.

[formrusmcsgt]

by WitchBroom February 14, 2010 8:39 PM EST
The 40+ vehicle pile up on I-70 at Kansas Highway 7 is located on the Kansas Turnpike.
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What's up with Kansas chrging tolls to drive on Federally-built Interstate highways?