Frightening footage captures over 100 vehicles colliding on a foggy highway.

      Screenshot Accuweather/YouTube

      Let me explain: I recently spent 42 days in Hawaii (it’s my home, not just a vacation), but storms, flooding, and unappealing weather can occur. Besides hurricanes and tsunamis, we sometimes experience blizzards too (hello, Haleakala). If you fail to adapt your driving to unfavorable conditions (like slowing down and ensuring your headlights are on), something as seemingly harmless as fog can result in massive accidents, like a recent incident in China.

      Henan province has a notorious record for major collisions. In December 2023, dense fog severely limited visibility, causing drivers to crash into the vehicles ahead of them before they even noticed. Around 200 vehicles collided on the Zhengxin Huanghe bridge, leading to at least one death and multiple injuries.

      A similar event took place this week on another bridge in the area. A recent video from Accuweather shows approximately 100 cars involved in a growing pileup. Despite bystanders (likely those from the already wrecked cars) desperately signaling for the passing vehicles to slow down, the opposite happened, resulting in a series of crashes.

      “This multi-vehicle accident occurred when visibility plummeted due to misty and foggy conditions on a bridge along a highway in Zhengzhou, China,” mentioned Weather Channel meteorologist Jennifer Gray. “Cars can be seen crashing into already damaged vehicles,” Gray added that while there were reports of injuries, there was no update on fatalities.

      The video lasts under 45 seconds and is filmed from a fixed position. It's unclear exactly where on the bridge the crashes took place or where the fog set in. To the right of the videographer is the wreckage, while unprepared drivers can be seen to the left. The road comprises three lanes with shoulders on either side, all filled with vehicles of varying makes and models, accompanied by scattered car parts on the ground.

      It’s possible that the fog was not visible when the drivers entered the bridge, or that this was the location of the pileup. Furthermore, the vehicles appear one by one, which means there is already a lack of warning from the traffic flow. Though the video is brief, the entire scene likely unfolded over a longer period. Additionally, it's clear that ice is present on the roadway, as vehicles are seen sliding with their brake lights on. Despite the roadway appearing flat, bridges and overpasses tend to gather ice before regular roads due to their exposure.

      How can we avoid such incidents? It’s straightforward: don’t drive when the weather is poor. However, if you must go out, exercise extreme caution. If you can't see the other cars, remember their drivers can't see you either, so make sure to turn on your headlights to enhance your visibility. Physically switch them on; don’t rely on auto headlights or assume that daytime running lights are sufficient. Activate your hazard lights for added visibility.

      Recognize that all-wheel drive is useless without the right tires. Prepare your vehicle for winter conditions. Even if snow isn’t an issue where you live, having warm blankets and snacks on hand can be beneficial in case you get stranded.

      Chain-reaction crashes like this can occur everywhere. We have previously reported on similar incidents in Japan and Virginia, relating to a lake-effect snowstorm that disrupted weekend plans from Illinois to New York, as well as a particularly troublesome corner in an unknown location. At the very least, ease off the gas and keep a safe distance.

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