A red car recently came to a complete stop in an active lane of Interstate 670 in Columbus, forcing approaching drivers to brake or swerve. One of those vehicles eventually struck a stopped white van.
The incident happened at approximately 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, near the Neil Avenue exit. Traffic-camera footage shows the red car traveling in the second lane from the right before stopping while surrounding traffic continues moving.
Several drivers successfully maneuvered around the developing backup. Other vehicles stopped behind the red car, creating a sudden obstruction that was difficult for motorists farther back to see.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) shared the footage with a blunt request for drivers to “quit randomly stopping” in interstate travel lanes.
Several Drivers Narrowly Avoided the Stopped Traffic
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The footage shows multiple vehicles changing lanes after encountering the stopped traffic. Each successful maneuver left the red car and the vehicles behind it sitting in the travel lane.
The driver of a later-arriving vehicle was unable to avoid the backup and collided with the rear of a white van.
The Red Car Left After the Collision
The red car began moving again after the crash and drove away, according to WSYX. It was not clear why the red car randomly stopped or if they were investigated for causing an accident.
ODOT added in the post, “If you’re confused, new to driving, or just lost, do NOT stop in a travel lane. Instead, just safely exit while maintaining the flow of traffic or safely pull over.”
Lost Drivers Should Continue to a Safe Location
Continuing to the next exit may add time to a trip, but it avoids forcing following motorists to react to an unexpected stationary vehicle.
This time, it could have avoided an accident involving multiple cars on the highway.