On February 11, 2021, a catastrophic 130-vehicle pileup occurred on an icy highway in Fort Worth, Texas. The accident resulted in six fatalities and dozens of injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently released its preliminary findings on the cause of the crash, citing a failure to de-ice the road by maintenance crews as a contributing factor.
According to the NTSB report, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) had been monitoring weather conditions and had begun pre-treating the roads with brine solution in anticipation of the winter storm. However, on the day of the accident, the TxDOT crews did not apply de-icing materials to the section of the highway where the pileup occurred.
The report also noted that the TxDOT crews did not follow their own procedures for monitoring and treating the road conditions. The agency’s standard operating procedure calls for continuous monitoring of weather and road conditions, as well as regular application of de-icing materials as needed.
The NTSB’s preliminary findings are a reminder of the importance of proper road maintenance during winter weather conditions. De-icing materials such as salt and brine can help prevent ice from forming on roads, making them safer for drivers. However, it is crucial that maintenance crews follow established procedures and continuously monitor road conditions to ensure that de-icing materials are applied when necessary.
In addition to proper road maintenance, drivers also have a responsibility to adjust their driving behavior during winter weather conditions. The NTSB report noted that many of the vehicles involved in the Fort Worth pileup were traveling too fast for the icy road conditions. Drivers should slow down and increase their following distance to allow for more time to react to unexpected situations.
The Fort Worth pileup serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of proper road maintenance and safe driving practices during winter weather conditions. While we cannot control the weather, we can take steps to minimize the risk of accidents and keep ourselves and others safe on the roads.
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