By Terrance Silva

Accident on Route 5: chain collision leaves a young motorcyclist in serious condition

This Friday afternoon was shaken by a violent accident on Route 5, precisely at kilometer 8,500. The incident, which occurred around 5:00 p.m., involved four vehicles traveling in the same direction, from South to North, and ended with a dramatic outcome for one of the drivers.

According to primary data, it was a chain-link collision. This type of accident usually occurs due to distractions or not maintaining a safe distance, although the exact causes of this event are still under investigation by the competent authorities.

The details of the strong accident on Route 5

He impact began when the four Vehicles were traveling on the expressway and, for reasons that are being determined, they collided successively. The first car involved was driven by a 41-year-old woman who, fortunately, was uninjured. The spirometry performed by police personnel gave zero results.

The second vehicle, another car driven by a 34-year-old man, also suffered the same fate: It came out without a scratch and with results. negative blood alcohol level. However, as you go back in the crash line, the consequences of the car accident began to be much more noticeable for the rest of those involved.

A motorcyclist referred to the Maciel Hospital

The worst part of this unfortunate episode was borne by the motorcycle driver. This is a 24-year-old young man who, after the impact, was diagnosed with “severe polytrauma.” Due to the severity of his injuries, he was rushed by a mobile emergency unit to the Maciel Hospital in Montevideo.

On the other hand, the third vehicle in the row, a pickup truck driven by a 46-year-old man, also suffered significant damage. The driver was diagnosed with “trauma to the dorsal spine and right upper limb.” Although the blow was strong, the doctors discharged him at the same place in the hospital. accident after stabilize it.

Road safety and the risks of Route 5

This new accident on Route 5 reopens the debate on safety on national routes during peak hours. Kilometer 8,500 is an area of ​​high vehicular flow where sudden maneuvers can cause tragedies in a matter of seconds. Visibility and the condition of the pavement are factors that the Highway Police are analyzing at this time.

Editorial note: According to data from the UNASEV, rear-end crashes are one of the most common causes of injuries in suburban areas of Uruguay, often linked to cell phone use or excessive speed.

Caution in the area after the accident

He Traffic in the area was affected for several hours while the experts and cranes worked to remove the remains of the vehicles. Drivers are recommended to drive with extreme caution, since after a road collision of this magnitude, traces of oil or glass may remain on the road, increasing the risk of further accidents.

The Road Police reiterated the importance of respecting braking distances, especially when traveling in convoy. A second of distraction in a busy route It can end, as in this case, with a life fighting to get ahead in a hospital.

The importance of safety distance on national routes

These types of “rear-end” collisions, like the one we saw in the road crash, are usually the result of a dangerous combination: speed and lack of space between vehicles. When driving in a convoy, many drivers underestimate the reaction time required in the event of unexpected braking. Physics is not forgiving: at a speed of 90 km/h, a vehicle travels 25 meters per second. If the driver in front hits the brakes and we are “stuck,” the impact is inevitable.

In the case of km 8,500, the traffic flow is usually intense and heterogeneous, mixing heavy trucks, private cars and motorcycles. This mix requires redoubled attention. The motorcyclist, being the weakest link in the chain, ended up bearing the brunt of this traffic accident, which once again puts on the table the vulnerability of bi-wheeled vehicles on our national routes.

Recommendations after an accident of this magnitude

For those who travel through this artery daily, the Highway Police authorities recommend always keeping the lights on and avoiding overtaking maneuvers in areas of high congestion. After occurring a accident on Route 5, the first action of witnesses should be to mark the area to prevent the collision from turning into a major tragedy.

The use of the reflective vest and the correct placement of the safety triangles are essential, especially at times when natural light begins to be scarce. The technical expertise carried out on the vehicles involved in this multiple crash will be decisive in understanding whether there was a mechanical failure or if, as occurs in the majority of these cases, the human factor was the main trigger of this unfortunate event.

Route 5 from South to North (Mdeo exit) has been completely closed since 8:00 p.m. due to a Scientific Police survey.