High number of traffic problems mar Wednesday’s driving
conditions. 

[view:node_ad=5]As we all know in Santa Clarita, when it rains, it pours…and
car accidents rise to epic proportions.  

Late last night, and throughout this afternoon several
accidents caused major traffic delays on the I-5 freeway, highway 14 and surface
streets. One late truck accident caused a 6 hour SigAlert on the truck route
when a commercial truck trailer went down blocking the entire northbound truck
route lanes.

Then, early this morning a car full of young adults spun out
on the I-5 near Templin Highway.
The out-of-control vehicle was headed for a California Highway Patrol officer,
who was on the side of the road assisting two stranded motorists over the
K-rail. The officer was forced to shove one victim over the rail and quickly jump
over to avoid the spinning vehicle, which did collide with the CHP’s vehicle
and the disabled car on the side of the road.  

There were no injuries in those accidents, however they do
illustrate that the wet weather brings the danger level up for motorists.

Drivers should slow down, even below the posted traffic
speed limits when the roadways are slick. Also, extra caution should be given
while driving and patience should be practiced.

Furthermore, the CHP is ramping up for a busy weekend on the
roads due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Thanksgiving always produces a high volume of traffic;
therefore, the CHP intends to provide as much visibility as possible in order
to ensure a safe holiday weekend,” said CHP Captain Mark Odle.

With the traffic volume and the rain already expected to
cause problems, Odle is urging everyone to avoid adding another deadly piece to
the puzzle; alcohol. Last thanksgiving weekend, 41 people were killed and 4,337
collisions took place in California.
Over half of the motorists killed during that period were involved in alcohol
related accidents.

Also, during last year’s thanksgiving holiday 1,628 people
were arrested for driving under the influence.

Motorist warnings come as the final report from the CHP regarding the Newhall I-5 tunnel fire has been released. It has now been determined that the accident, which involved over 30 commercial trucks and killed three people, was caused by a truck driver speeding in the rain. Read the full story about the newly released the report by clicking here.