Unfortunately, traffic accidents are an everyday occurrence. As I write these lines, it’s likely that one is happening right now, and all we can do is hope nobody gets hurt. However, some accidents left a deep mark with massive crashes involving hundreds of vehicles. Today we’re going to review some of the worst crashes in the world, covering more than three decades.
Interstate 75 Disaster, December 11, 1990
On the morning of December 11, 1990, a dense fog bank formed over a section of Interstate 75 in Tennessee, reducing visibility to zero. The massive crash began with the impact of two trucks, followed by a car that hit the second truck, and the chain reaction reached a total of 99 vehicles, causing 12 deaths and 42 injuries.
M4 Motorway Accident, March 13, 1991
A huge collision in foggy conditions on the M4 motorway near Hungerford (Berkshire, England) caused the deaths of 10 people and injuries to 25 others. Information suggests the driver of a van fell asleep, causing his vehicle to hit the median strip. Several vehicles behind (averaging 112 km/h) couldn’t avoid the accident. The spilled fuel exploded, and in just 19 seconds, 51 vehicles were caught up in the chaos.
Interstate 5 Storm, November 29, 1991
The entire central region of California was swept by strong winds and dust on November 29, 1991, reaching the San Joaquin and Salinas valleys. The weather station closest to the accident had recorded winds of 78 kilometers per hour. With visibility below 500 meters in some stretches (and directly zero in others), the accidents and their chain reactions trapped 104 vehicles: 93 cars and 11 trucks. In total, 17 people lost their lives, and another 114 were injured.
E17 Disaster, February 27, 1996
The worst traffic disaster in Belgium’s history. It all started near the municipality of Nazareth at ten in the morning, when a fog bank reduced visibility to less than 50 meters. The accident was so large that rescue teams couldn’t initially determine the point of origin. By the end of the day, the toll was 10 dead and 80 injured, 55 of them seriously. Between fire and twisted metal, authorities estimated that more than 200 vehicles were involved in the incident.
M42 Motorway Accident, March 10, 1997
At 06:20 on March 10, David Fairclough entered the fog-covered M42 motorway near Bromsgrove (Worcestershire, England) at 90 km/h. After reducing his speed to 51 km/h, he hit a tanker truck, struck a car, and then exploded. The accident involved 160 vehicles over a 370-meter stretch, including 30 others in the opposite lane. Three people died, and 60 were injured. The truck driver spent three months in prison.
Autobahn A2 Accident, July 19, 2009
The first collision was reported near Hämelerwald, heading towards Hanover. Drivers quickly lost control of their vehicles due to heavy rain, leading to a series of accidents that stretched over two hours on a 30-kilometer section of the Autobahn A2, where 259 vehicles were trapped. The rescue team comprised more than 300 members, and fortunately there were no fatalities. The number of injured rose to 66.
“Rodovia dos Imigrantes”, September 15, 2011
The accident began around 1 p.m. Initially, police and firefighters estimated the total number of vehicles at no more than 80, but the number quickly rose to 300, over just two kilometers of road. The impact between two trucks caused an explosion, resulting in the death of one of the drivers, the only fatality in the entire accident. The reported injured numbered 49.
The Worst Crashes in the World: Unfortunately, There Will Be More
Fog, rain, and storms combined with the irresponsibility of some drivers will continue to cause accidents of varying sizes. This is just a selection of the worst crashes in the world that prioritizes the number of vehicles involved, but if we focus on the number of victims, there are far more disturbing cases, mostly associated with passenger transport. We can only wish everyone a safe return home and remind you to keep patience out there. Remember: Slow and steady wins the race.
