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Posted on 04/15/2026 4:27:47 AM PDT by dynachrome
At least 75 vehicles were ensnared in a massive, chain-reaction pileup on a Colorado highway Tuesday, authorities said.
The crashes unfolded in the Rocky Mountains west of Denver, specifically near Loveland Ski Area, and followed a chaotic morning that saw six separate wrecks, mostly along the same highway, according to the Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said the latest crash forced a two-way lane shutdown on Interstate 70, as photos released by the authorities showed emergency crews assisting drivers at the scene.
"The closure is due to a severe multi-vehicle crash on the east side of Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel that took place this afternoon," the Colorado Department of Transportation (CODOT) said. "There is currently no estimated time for reopening."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
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Steep hills and ice are a good combination for disaster.
Colorado show is usually pretty grippy in the winter but the spring slush can pack into wet ice. I've seen 4wd cars get stopped in traffic on a slight incline and not be able to get going again, it's that slick.
Mother Nature can get ornery sometimes. Let certain types of ice accumulate on the road, and it won’t matter how good a driver you are, or how many-wheel-drive your car is!
“Bottom line, we need folks to slow down, increase following distance, and make it to their destination safely,” the sheriff’s office said.
But for some totally stupid reason when road conditions are slippery drivers actually decrease following distance. I could never figure out the rational behind it.
We often have ice covered roads where I live and back in my working days I had a 10 mile stretch between work and home. On bad weather days people slowed down but decreased the following distance to near bumper to bumper. I would try to maintain a safe distance only to be passed and have someone pull in front of me.
On one occasion it was necessary to apply the brakes and the jerk behind me lost control and went into the ditch.
I have been on that stretch of highway many, many times. It can be really bad in spring snow storms.
In any case, dope legalization (and possibly now psychedelic mushrooms, as well) has likely increased the number of impaired drivers, while an apparent reduction in speed limit enforcement has raised average vehicle speeds (10-15 mph over the posted limit seems to be the new norm along the front range). Add in some bad weather, and junkyard-sized accidents aren't a big surprise (to me, at least)...
What your post tells me is that the speed limits is question are artificially low, if suddenly -with reduced enforcement- more than half the drivers are travelling above said speed limit. There is an engineering principle that is supposed to guide the setting of speed limits— the 85th percentile.
That is: If 85% of the traffic is travelling at or below a certain speed (say 65mph ) that is where the speed limit should be. Many jurisdictions intentionally set the speed limits well below this number in order to enhance revenue from speed “violations”.
In other words, those “speeders” are likely travelling at a more reasonable rate, and the current speed limit has been set for reasons other than road safety.
What did they expect at this point in time at this part of the world? I would hardly even call this news, but it is an alert to travelers in the area.
My tomato plants and pepper plants look healthy this morning.
Colorado Ping ( Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from the list.)
Ever driven on I-70 before thru Colorado?
Given the nature of that road thru the mountains, I think the speed limits are more than reasonable.
Al Gore says snow is just a thing of the past, especially 1 month into spring.
Ice and mountainous roads...not a good combo
ROTFL!
Ice and mountainous roads...not a good combo
Combined with transplants from California.
I remember driving out of Denver with clear blue skies. When we got through the Eisenhower Tunnel it was a blizzard with almost white out conditions.
We were in the Denver area last evening for the Ramsey Live show. Didn’t see any snow where we were
Combined with transplants from California. not a good combo...
https://youtu.be/dCer2e0t8r8?si=Fq29Vc4HHLGSqBMs
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