Nearly 400 Accidents in Four Hours As Rain Snarls LA's Morning Commute

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Category: World News

Published on Friday, 30 November 2018 07:52

Written by Janet Walker

Over a four hour time period, Southern California Highway Patrol reported 365 car accidents were called in by shell-shocked LA drivers as the forecasted torrential rains disrupted the Thursday morning commute snarling the already bumper-to-bumper traffic.

In a region known for its heavy traffic, unprepared for rain drivers were careening out of control, hydroplaning, stopping short, and trying to avoid those who thought they had the commute under control.

Motorists were generally crawling along at 10mph, others who were not watching the road or were distracted at the sheer volume of car accidents, which resembled a Hollywood disaster movie scene with the amount of accidents blocking lanes, ended up creating other accidents.

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CHP reiterated the standard and usually forgettable weather related driving tips as SoCal drivers are accustomed to clear and dry commutes: leaving a car length of extra space in front of them, drive with headlights on, stay in the middle lanes to avoid the possibility of a stalled out vehicle with the outside lanes flooded.

"We can’t stress this enough, (rain) does not cause crashes, how you drive in the (rain) does," CHP's L.A. County account tweeted, using the rainstorm emoji. The agency also served up one final – and very unique – tip: "Drive like you have a giant pot of grandma’s famous chili sitting on the seat next to you with no lid! Don’t let it spill on your seats, because if you do, your car will be a mess and grandma will not be a happy camper," CHP tweeted, noting that's true for all conditions, but especially in the rain,” the LA Times reported.

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A man clinging to a tree in the LA river basin, was rescued by Los Angeles firefighters after the unknown man was reportedly caught up in the fast moving water.

The rescue, which occurred during Thursday’s drenching downpour, was captured on video which shows the river basin filling quickly. The basin, during the non-rainy season is frequented by all types of people, although prohibited, bicyclists, street racers, skate boarders, homeless, a cross section of people use the basin. The identity of the man was not known.

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The rainy seasons have come early for SoCal and with three more months of winter rains ahead Thursday’s morning commute disaster may is the beginning of a treacherous driving season for LA’s fair weather driving population.