A wildfire near Gainesville Florida was burning, not causing much damage.  The wind picked up, the fire grew and within a few moments visibility on 1-75 dropped to just a few feet. With the poor visibility, a chain reaction accident started, killing 10 and injuring 20 people.

Any of us may get into a situation that changes. In this case the weather was clear, driving conditions excellent as traffic speed along at, or over the speed limit. Then smoke covered the road. Some divers failed to adjust speed, or pull over when visibility dropped to near zero. Then, one after another the smash up started.

In this instance, we need to start slowing down when we see smoke access the road, you can’t tell how thick the smoke from a distance. When you loose visibility, pull as far off the road as possible. If you fear getting ht by another car, leave your vehicle and get farther off the road if possible.

What often happens is our human nature gets in the way. As conditions worsen we keep going, believing conditions will improve, or we will somehow believe we can get through without adjusting. This is a common problem, denial. We tend to deny the problem. After all, we need to get somewhere. Then, we get burned.

I used to live in Michigan and drove in major snowstorms at times. One time, driving in a bad snowstorm, my visibility went from 8 car lengths to zero. I gently pulled off the road until I could feel my wheels start to drive off the shoulder. Shortly after, a car driving faster was unable to stop for a slower vehicle and skidded off the road, into a tree.

Most of the drivers in the pile up would not have had adequate information to not take the trip. However, when the conditions deteriorated, each driver made a choice, stop, slow down, or keep going. I don’t want to sound hard hearted with those caught in the tragedy; we need to use this as guidance for the future. Take a step yourself by becoming a Ready Christian here: http://bit.ly/ohUZV8