Heat collapse on A60: Chaos by lying down trucks and overheating!

Heat collapse on A60: Chaos by lying down trucks and overheating!

A60 zwischen Rüsselsheimer Dreieck und Bischofsheim, Deutschland - On June 14, 2025, there was a sweaty traffic chaos on the A60 between the Rüsselsheimer Dreieck and Bischofsheim. A truck that was left behind, which remained in the construction site area at 2:35 p.m. with a gearbox damage, caused a massive traffic jam in the direction of travel Mainz. On this day, the temperatures climbed up to 35 degrees, which made the situation even more difficult for the trapped drivers. While they were stuck for over an hour, many drivers started to call the police for help due to a lack of water and the oppressive heat, such as fre.de.

Some of the inmates suffered from weaknesses, which led to an alarm at the Rüsselsheim fire brigade, which was informed at 3:20 p.m. Rescue workers explored the dam with off-road pick-ups in order to be able to provide support immediately. The truck was localized using a police helicopter. Since the close construction site management made it difficult to get the rescue worker, a support train of the district of Groß-Gerau, which provided cold drinks.

hot situation for drivers

The heat and the fact that many cars did not have air conditioning led to an acute risk of overheating and dehydration. Numerous drivers were stuck in their vehicles while the fire brigade submitted a supply concept. The measures also included the transport of people who needed medical help with two pickup trucks.

The emergency services even prepared the evacuation of people who showed signs of heat damage. Another problem came: Some drivers tried to turn or leave their cars, which led to questions about consultation with the emergency services. After all, the truck could be recovered faster than expected by a towing service that pulled the truck backwards from the construction site. The section of the route was finally released for traffic at 4:45 p.m., but not without the concerns of the drivers about the heat and the associated risks.

heat and traffic safety

The incidents on the A60 illustrate the dangers that bring high temperatures for car owners and drivers. According to an analysis of the DGUV, the interior temperature of vehicles can increase to up to 60 degrees Celsius in summer temperatures. Prof. Dr. Stefan Mangelsdorf and Dr. Kristina Meier emphasize that the summer heat also increases the number of accidents in road traffic because the physical condition of the driver is affected. There is also a certain risk of mental performance, which can make driving dangerous, as aug.dguv.de reports.

If there are signs of heat damage, such as fatigue, dizziness or headache, you should definitely avoid driving and take breaks regularly. Tips on how to better manage the heat while driving include drinking refreshing drinks or preparing the vehicle before getting in to make the inner temperature more comfortable.