Winter Storm Causes Traffic Havoc in Eastern Germany
A winter storm with heavy snowfall and icy conditions has resulted in numerous traffic accidents across the states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia in eastern Germany.
Saxony
In the Leipzig police district alone, a staggering 190 accidents were reported, more than double the usual number. Thankfully, the majority of these incidents resulted only in property damage, with 12 people sustaining injuries.
The snowy and icy road conditions forced the suspension of bus services in the northern Saalekreis region. All school buses were canceled in the morning, but regular service resumed later in the day.
A bus skidded off the road into a ditch in the northern Saalekreis, while another reversed into a tree. No injuries were reported, but the spokesperson for the transportation company stated that the bus service had to be suspended due to the hazardous road conditions.
Most federal highways have been cleared, but secondary roads remain treacherous.
Saxony-Anhalt
On Thursday evening, a commercial vehicle carrying metal rolls lost control on the A4 motorway near Glauchau and crashed through the central reservation. The 35-year-old driver was traveling towards Dresden when he lost control near the Glauchau-Ost junction, hit the median barrier, and crossed over into the oncoming lane towards Erfurt. The motorway was temporarily closed in both directions. No injuries were reported, according to the Zwickau police department.
"Snow chaos" was reported on the A2, A14, and A36 motorways in Saxony-Anhalt, with police recording 25 accidents on Thursday. Six people were slightly injured.
Near Calbe, a 36-year-old driver lost control of his semi-trailer truck on the A14 towards Schwerin. His vehicle slid off the road to the right and collided with the crash barrier. The trailer swerved and blocked all lanes of the carriageway. The driver escaped unharmed. Emergency responders faced challenges navigating the hazardous weather conditions. The road was closed for almost four hours before being reopened.
Thuringia
On the A73 near Schleusingen, a car skidded on the icy road and struck the right-hand guardrail. The driver sustained minor injuries. Several other accidents resulted in minor damage, according to a spokesperson for the motorway police.
