A35 Highway accidents in Battenheim caused by fuel queues

Dangerous driving behaviors on the A35 motorway near the Battenheim service area have led to multiple accidents. Drivers attempting to access a Total gas station with capped fuel prices are frequently obstructing the emergency lane, with queues sometimes extending up to 1.5 km upstream of the station.

On Wednesday, October 28, these conditions resulted in two accidents. In one incident, a utility vehicle struck a car following a slowdown caused by the congestion in the emergency lane, leaving two men with minor injuries. Authorities noted that emergency services and tow trucks faced significant delays in reaching the scene because the emergency lane was blocked by the queue.

Law enforcement officials have described the situation as “inadmissible,” noting that impatient drivers are also attempting to re-enter the motorway at low speeds by driving across grass verges, creating high risks due to the speed differential with traffic traveling at 130 km/h.