Every time it rains a considerable amount in the Phoenix area, most drivers seem to take a similar approach to the situation.
That approach is panic, and a general sense of, OH GOD WHAT DO I DO?
Some drivers drive their usual 70-mph-plus, as others stick to the speed limit, while some go about 5 mph under the speed limit, and others go 15 mph or more under the speed limit, as if they were driving on a sheet of ice, and the Grim Reaper were buckled into their passenger seat. Many drivers do what they normally do, and just don't pay attention in general.
The result, of course, is crashes -- everywhere.
Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman Officer Carrick Cook tweeted out that there were more than 20 crashes this morning -- in the East Valley alone. If you include the other half of the Valley, the highways outside of the Valley, and all of the crashes on the surface streets, you're probably talking about trillions of car crashes (that's a rough estimate).
The Arizona Department of Public Safety's highway cameras, which only covers a portion of the action on the highways, caught several of these crashes:
No, those last two pictures aren't of the same crash -- those are two different Chevy Silverado drivers who found themselves ass-backwards in the HOV lane of Valley highways. The gold truck was on U.S. 60, near McClintock Drive, and the white one was on Loop 101, near Warner Road.
When DPS officers are tweeting instructions about how to drive in the rain, you know the locals suck at it.
Drivers please be patient. Should you find yourself hydroplaning, take your foot off of the brake and steer where you want to go. Dont panic
— Officer Carrick Cook (@DPSOfficerCook) September 9, 2013
Other crashes not caught on camera include a rollover crash on Interstate 10, a crash involving three motorcycles on State Route 98, another spin-out on I-10, and plenty more.
Everyone, please don't kill each other.
If you want to read about all the highway crashes, make sure you have plenty of free time, and click here.
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Follow Matthew Hendley on Twitter at @MatthewHendley.
