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Traffic jam on the B66 in Bielefeld: The weather makes for compulsory breaks
Photo: Friso Gentsch / dpa
SPIEGEL:
Mr. Fortmeier, more than 70 kilometers of traffic jams around Bielefeld - how did that come about?
Dirk Fortmeier:
It came from the sky. So much snow fell that several trucks got stuck.
The technical relief organization then tried to tow the vehicles free - but that was not that easy: the roads were slippery and the snow was immense.
This resulted in pretty long waiting times.
SPIEGEL:
Some cars have been there since yesterday afternoon, all night long.
How do you stand it in the weather?
Fortmeier:
It's an extreme situation, but the people were looked after by aid organizations the whole time - with chocolate bars, coffee and tea, among other things.
SPIEGEL:
That only helps to a limited extent against the cold.
Fortmeier:
Of course, people started their cars' engines.
Therefore, the road users have been supplied with fuel so that they can warm up.
Without fuel reserves, you can't sit out so easily.
"If it takes so many hours, of course you have to go out to attend to human needs."
SPIEGEL:
So there were hundreds of cars with their engines running on the autobahn in the middle of the night?
Fortmeier:
Exactly.
Heating on, shut down consumption, wait.
If it takes so many hours, of course you have to go out to stretch your legs or pursue human needs.
SPIEGEL: Did
people have to go to the toilet on the edge of the autobahn?
Fortmeier:
Yes, yes.
This is an exceptional situation, a special challenge for everyone.
SPIEGEL:
Did people sleep in their cars?
Fortmeier:
Hardly anyone can sleep in a situation like this, you are also excited and stressed.
And those affected naturally hope that it could continue at any time.
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THW employees on the A2: Continuous use at night
Photo: Festim Beqiri / dpa
SPIEGEL:
Would it be dangerous to fall asleep in a car on the autobahn in such freezing temperatures?
Fortmeier:
No, don't worry.
There are emergency services on site.
They not only bring snacks and drinks, they also monitor the situation and are available as contacts.
SPIEGEL:
Why did it take so long for people to have to spend the night in their cars?
Fortmeier:
Some of the trucks got so stuck that they stood across the road.
Rescue lanes can no longer be formed, the motorway was effectively closed.
And because of the weather, not all lanes could be used normally anyway, the snow piled up left and right.
SPIEGEL:
It has not only snowed in East Westphalia in the past few days.
Why did all this happen in Bielefeld of all places?
Fortmeier:
I don't know exactly.
The trucks played a major role here, for which there were also driving bans in the past few days in Münsterland and East Westphalia.
SPIEGEL:
Has the situation eased in the meantime?
Fortmeier:
Yes, luckily.
The mission is over, the technical relief organization has already withdrawn in the morning hours.
SPIEGEL:
What is your advice to people who want to travel now?
Fortmeier:
I would
think twice
about it.
In the next few days it shouldn't snow that much anymore, but we will have to deal with freezing temperatures.
If you give the clearance services a day or two, the main roads should be clear again soon.
Traffic should flow normally again by the end of the week.
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