Two aquaplaning accidents on the A20: driver injured, road blocked!

Two aquaplaning accidents on the A20: driver injured, road blocked!

On July 9, 2025, two serious accidents caused by aquaplaning occurred on the A 20 motorway near Strasburg. Both vehicles, a VW Passat and a VW Golf, were on the route towards Lübeck at the same time and lost control of their lane. A 37-year-old German driver of the VW Passat crashed into the guardrail and an emergency call box, while the 39-year-old driver of the VW Golf also left the road and had a collision with the guardrail. According to news.de, the accidents occurred around 6:25 p.m. and fortunately both drivers were only slightly injured.

As a result of the two incidents, the A 20 in the direction of Lübeck was only accessible to a limited extent for around three hours, as traffic could only be routed via the left lane. The damage to the vehicles totals around 50,000 euros, with the VW Passat costing around 30,000 euros and the VW Golf costing 20,000 euros.

What is aquaplaning?

But what exactly is aquaplaning and what leads to such dangerous situations? In the case of aquaplaning, the vehicle is lifted off the road by a film of water, which severely limits the ability to steer and brake. It becomes particularly dangerous at higher speeds, as the risk of aquaplaning increases significantly above 80 km/h, as bussgeld-info.de reports. Factors include water accumulation on the road, the type of tires and also the driving speed. When it rains, you need to use the accelerator pedal moderately.

The topic of aquaplaning is dealt with in depth, especially in driving school. It is recommended to adjust your speed in bad weather conditions and always check the vehicle for sufficient tire pressure and tread depth. Worn tires or improper driving style can significantly increase the likelihood of an accident.

How do you react to aquaplaning?

If a driver is affected by aquaplaning, calm behavior and considered actions are required. You should definitely avoid sudden steering movements or heavy braking to prevent skidding. According to the tips from bussgeldinfo.org, the foot should be carefully removed from the accelerator pedal and the vehicle should come to a smooth stop. Holding the steering wheel with both hands can also improve control of the vehicle. As recent incidents show, it is crucial to act preventatively and prepare for weather conditions.

It is particularly important to be aware of the risks, especially in northern German regions, where rain and wet roads are part of everyday life. With good driving skills, the risk of accidents can be greatly reduced. Always stay safe on the roads!