Winter Attack Paralyzes Routes: Pile-ups and Blockades on A1 and A4 Motorways

A sudden winter onslaught, bringing snowfall and freezing rain, has caused traffic chaos on major arteries in Poland and Germany. The most serious incident was recorded on the A4 motorway near Zgorzelec, where three trucks collided. As a result of the impact, the cabin of one vehicle caught fire, and one person was injured. Further significant disruptions are announced for Thursday, when the A4 near Bolesławiec will be completely blocked for 5 hours to recover a truck that veered off the road in an earlier accident. Road services are urging drivers to exercise extreme caution and choose alternative routes. An equally dramatic situation prevails in the Łódź region. On the A1 motorway, a pile-up involving seven passenger cars and one truck paralyzed traffic towards Katowice. Police indicate failure to adjust speed to conditions as the main cause of the collision. In Babice and Sarnówek, accidents were recorded where cars overturned or ended up in ditches. Meanwhile, in Germany, in Thuringia and Hesse, icy road surfaces led to dozens of interventions. Near Gera on the A4 motorway, a collision between two cars and a truck necessitated the use of a rescue helicopter. Statistics from the National Police Headquarters in recent years indicate that the first serious frosts and snowfall in February regularly lead to an increase in collisions by up to 40% compared to the monthly average.The situation in cities is equally tense. Berlin hospitals, including facilities of the Vivantes group, report a 20-30% increase in patients admitted to traumatology departments. Icy sidewalks and roads have become deadly traps, sometimes forcing the transport of injured persons by fire engines due to the overload of traditional ambulances. Meteorologists warn that low temperatures and moisture will continue to favor the formation of glaze ice, making driving on highways unpredictable. „The driver hit a tree that was knocked down by strong winds; despite sudden braking, it was impossible to avoid the collision in these extreme conditions.” — police spokesperson in MainzAccident and Intervention Statistics (Selected Regions): Saarland (night interventions): 25, Including road accidents: 14, A8 (damaged vehicles): 16, A1 (vehicle pile-up): 85 hours — the duration of the complete closure of the A4 motorway on ThursdayTimeline of Major Road Incidents: February 17, 18:30 — Accident in Sarnówek; February 18, 11:30 — Truck Fire on A4; February 18, 12:15 — Pile-up on A1; February 19, 10:00 — Planned Closure of A4Media emphasize the need for better preparation of public order services for unexpected Atlantic lows. | Commentators focus on individual driver responsibility and lack of caution in difficult conditions.