Heavy rain leads to spectacular accident on BAB 14 near Wismar

Heavy rain leads to spectacular accident on BAB 14 near Wismar

on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, a traffic accident occurred at Wismar at 2:50 p.m. at Wismar, which was caused by aquaplaning. The incident took place near the Zurow and Kahlenberg locations and was observed by several witnesses. These reported heavy rain, which significantly impaired the road conditions this afternoon.

A 50-year-old man who was traveling with a Mercedes was on the overtaking strip towards Wismar when the accident happened. According to initial findings by the Rostock police headquarters, the driver skidded during an overtaking maneuver. The vehicle lost control, raced into the banquet and shot up an approximately six meter high slope.

Details of the accident

The mercedes overturned due to the force of the impact and finally came to a stop across the direction of travel on the hard shoulder. The driver suffered minor injuries. Rescue workers were quickly on hand and transported him to the Wismar Clinic for further treatment.

The recovery of the badly damaged vehicle was necessary because the Mercedes was no longer ready to drive. The police department estimated the accident damage at around 40,000 euros. During the evacuation work, the highway had to be partially closed until around 4:30 p.m., which led to a traffic impairment in the region. The traffic could only be guided past the accident site via the overtaking lane.

security measures and traffic management

aquaplaning describes a dangerous driving situation that arises when water separates a tire from contact with the street on the road surface. The danger is particularly high in heavy rain, as he prevailed at the time of the accident. In such cases, it is important to reduce the speed and increase the distance to the vehicle in front. The police appeal to all road users to be particularly careful in unfavorable weather conditions and to keep an eye on the road holding.

This incident is further proof of how important driver training and preventive measures are in order to minimize the risk of such accidents. Especially with regard to changing weather conditions, drivers should always be prepared and be aware of the circumstances in order to be able to react quickly and correctly.

The 50-year-old driver was lucky that his injuries were not more serious. Nevertheless, this accident is a serious event that illustrates the risks of car driving under adverse circumstances. Even if the police were able to intervene quickly in this case, the defensive driving style remains the best strategy in such situations.

It is essential that drivers continuously find out about the best driving practices and also implement them in order to increase safety in road traffic. Responsibility lies not only with the individual driver, but also with society as a whole, to create a safe driving environment.

A look at traffic safety and responsibility

Today's report should serve as a warning for all drivers: the risk of accidents increases significantly in the event of a precipitation, especially in heavy rain. Responsible driving can be crucial, as well as awareness of your own security and that of the other road users. Every accident is a clear indication that more attention and consideration in road traffic is necessary. The incident on BAB 14 could serve as an example of the need for better driving behavior in difficult weather conditions and underline the urgent need to adapt to the circumstances in all conditions.

background information on aquaplaning

aquaplaning occurs when a water film layer forms between the tires of a vehicle and the road so that the tires lose contact with the street. In the case of heavy rain, as he appeared in Wismar at the time of the accident, the risk increases significantly. The speed of the vehicle and the condition of the tires also play a crucial role here. According to the ADAC, the tires can no longer cope with the water displacement from a water depth of 5 to 7 millimeters, which can lead to a loss of control over the vehicle.

drivers should adapt in such weather conditions by reducing their speed and keeping a larger distance from other vehicles. According to a survey by the German Road Safety Council (DVR), there are tens of thousands of accidents every year that are due to Aquaplaning.

statistics and data on traffic accidents through aquaplaning

An analysis of traffic accident statistics shows that certain areas that often suffer from heavy rain are particularly at risk. The risk of aquaplaning is increased, especially between the months of May and September, because the precipitation patterns vary in these months and often occur sudden thunderstorms. This illustrates how important it is to be particularly careful when driving under such conditions.