Minor-Injury Crash, Major U-Turn Decision, Both Reminders For Southwest RivCo Drivers: CHP

TEMECULA, CA — This week, two crashes in Southwest Riverside County became valuable lessons for freeway drivers, California Highway Patrol Officers shared. The first cautionary tale: a chain reaction crash on the southbound I-15. The second: a dramatic U-turn that led to a collision on the Ortega Highway

Shortly before 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, a chain-reaction collision occurred between several vehicles heading southbound on I-15, CHP officers said.

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This incident was a quick reminder of what drivers should do after a minor fender-bender: safely move your vehicle to the shoulder or the nearest exit, if possible, the CHP said on social media.

"Don't turn a bump into a bigger backup (or a secondary crash)!"

A California safety statute requires drivers involved in a freeway collision to move over to the shoulder.

"For safety, you are permitted to move your vehicle to the shoulder, out of the roadway and remain there to fulfill your obligations. After moving your vehicle, you must notify the other involved party and/or law enforcement," according to CHP's website.

In other local driving lessons, CHP alerted drivers that illegal U-turns are also not a great idea.

On Wednesday morning, a driver on the Ortega Highway, just west of Grand Avenue, illegally made a U-turn and was struck, causing the vehicle to overturn.

According to CHP, the most recent California report shows that 2,825 U-turn crashes resulted in injuries, and 37 were fatal.

When U-turning, yield, signal, check twice (or three times), and only turn where it's legal and safe, CHP officers advised.

"Improper turning is a top crash factor statewide—don't become a statistic for a shortcut that isn't worth it," the CHP said. "Your insurance company and fellow drivers will thank you."