Accident culprit truck driver might have swapped lanes, claims Estonian transportation authority official.
The accident on the Tallinn-Tartu highway on Thursday resulted in a close call for the trucks parked on the side of the road, as a Toyota came dangerously close to hitting them.
According to reports, two trucks had stopped on the 53rd kilometer of the highway due to a flat tire, with one being changed and the other parked nearby. The drivers of the other vehicles managed to change lanes to avoid the trucks, but the Toyota driver did not.
The driver of the Toyota, a 39-year-old woman, failed to take the opportunity to move left and change lanes, leading to the collision with the two men near the trucks. The woman was sober and had a valid driver's license, but she was taken to the hospital for a checkup following the accident.
The accident resulted in the deaths of a 45-year-old and a 53-year-old man. The driver of the Toyota was not injured in the collision.
The exact reasons for the Toyota driver's failure to change lanes remain unknown, as investigations are ongoing. The director general of the Estonian Transport Administration, Priit Sauk, expressed surprise at the accident, stating that the driver could have safely changed lanes but did not.
The accident occurred on a section of the highway where the traffic control center's variable information control cameras are located, but it is not yet clear if these cameras captured footage of the incident.
The accident was a matter of millimeters from causing additional fatalities, highlighting the importance of driver vigilance and the need to always be aware of the road conditions and other vehicles around them.
- The accident on the Tallinn-Tartu highway, a crucial transport thoroughfare for the industry and finance sector in Estonia, has renewed calls for increased awareness in transportation safety, particularly during general news events.
- The recent car-accident on the highway, causing the deaths of two men and narrowly avoiding additional fatalities, underscores the continued need for drivers to prioritize their vigilance and adaptability, particularly when faced with changing road conditions.
- Investigations into the accident are ongoing, with particular focus on the driver's failure to change lanes despite ample opportunity, raising questions about the role of distraction or inattentiveness in transportation incidents.
