A major road disruption unfolded on the M4 Don highway toward Moscow, with a 10-kilometer traffic jam forming in the wake of a serious crash. Eyewitness chatter on a Telegram channel reports this incident, underscoring how quickly winter conditions can transform a routine commute into a tense ordeal.
The collision occurred near the town of Efremov in the Tula region, involving at least five vehicles, including a heavy truck. The nature of the crash and the number of vehicles involved have disrupted the flow of traffic for hours, drawing urgent attention from responders and road users alike.
Dozens of cars and commercial vehicles found themselves immobilized as drivers faced long delays. The situation has been further aggravated by severe winter weather, with a heavy snowstorm and a drop in temperature to minus six degrees Celsius. Snow-laden roads, reduced visibility, and slick surfaces created hazardous conditions, making it difficult for motorists to navigate and for emergency crews to reach the scene quickly. Families and solo travelers alike found themselves in uncomfortable, frigid circumstances, with reports indicating that children were among those stranded in the congestion.
Earlier, Moscow’s Ministry of Transport warned residents about the scale of snowfall impacting the city and surrounding regions. Officials urged people to favor urban transit options over private vehicles to help alleviate congestion and reduce the risk of additional accidents. The transport authority emphasized that public transport could offer more reliable options during worsening weather, even as demand for service remained high.
In the capital itself, traffic disruptions intensified on the evening of December 14 due to the heavy snowfall. City authorities noted that problems were likely to be concentrated in central districts, on the Third Transport Ring and the Moscow Ring Road, with traffic conditions described as potentially reaching near-critical levels as commuters continued to arrive home from work and run errands. The ebb and flow of vehicles in these key arteries highlighted how quickly weather can transform a busy urban network into a bottleneck of slow-moving traffic and delayed journeys.
Travelers seeking relief from winter hazards often ask how to drive safely in snow. Practical guidance centers on maintaining a steady, gentle driving style, increasing following distances, and using appropriate tires and lighting. In such conditions, drivers should reduce speed well before curves, anticipate longer stopping distances, and avoid abrupt maneuvers that can unsettle the vehicle. Staying vigilant for reduced traction, snow drifts, and glare from headlights is essential. For those behind the wheel, planning ahead, allowing extra time for routes, and checking live traffic updates can help minimize risk and distress when snow and ice are present on major corridors like the M4 and its detours around Moscow.