Pocono News Section

Foggy Crash Cleanup Sparks Safe Driving Tips

Foggy Crash Cleanup Sparks Safe Driving Tips - Monday, December 14, 2009 at 6:50PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Monday, Dec 14, 2009 @ 06:50pm EST

DORANCE TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY- A nasty weekend accident on a stretch of interstate 81 in Luzerne County .

No one was killed but a few drivers were taken to the hospital with injuries.

Foggy conditions seemed to contribute to the accident. On Monday, PennDOT is reminding drivers how dangerous that stretch of the interstate is when fog blankets the road.

Al Yarasavage of Laurel Lake said, "People just don't want to slow down. It's got to be 65 to 75 no matter what."

Drivers like Yarasavage say the stretch of interstate 81 where the accident happened can become foggy and dangerous.

PennDOT Luzerne Coutny manager Gene Rafalli agrees.

He says this part of I-81 to Southern Schuylkill County, more than a 20 mile stretch is considered very dangerous when it's filled with fog.

Rafalli said, "I've seen over the years many, many accidents in this type of situation. We were very fortunate last night there were no fatalities."

PennDOT is reminding drivers to take it easy when fog creeps onto the highway.

Rafalli says slow down, use the white line on the shoulder as your guide and throw on the hazard lights.

These tips can help cut down accidents and helps save drivers from scenes like this. Pulling your car to the side of the road and throwing your hazards in foggy conditions is considered dangerous when it's foggy because a driver might confuse you for a moving vehicle and run right into you.

If you approach fog, PennDOT says pull off at your next exit, and call 5-1-1 .

That's the phone number for the most updated road conditions and how long inclement weather is expected to last.

Kevin Flaherty of mountain top says these tips along with a little common sense goes a long way.

"Slow down, for safety purposes basically. I want to get home alive," said Flaherty.

Eyewitness news was told none of the injuries in Sunday's accident were life threatening.

The left lane of northbound I-81 was shut down this morning for cleanup.