<p>At least six people were killed and dozens of others injured on Monday (May 1) after a series of car crashes along Interstate 55 in southern Illinois, United States during a dust storm, said the state police. Up to 60 passenger vehicles and about 20 commercial vehicles were involved in both directions of the I-55.&nbsp;<br />
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Joletta Hill, chief deputy for the Montgomery County Coroner's Office confirmed the six deaths from the accidents, reported Reuters. According to the police, the dust from newly ploughed fields took over the highway.&nbsp;</p>

<p>At least two commercial vehicles caught fire “as a result of the crashes,” said Ryan Starrick from Illinois State Police, in a press briefing. He added, “At this time, we have reports of more than 30 people being transported to the hospital and multiple fatalities. The cause of the crash was excessive winds blowing dirt from farm field across the highway leading to zero visibility”.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the crash is being placed under further investigation, said the official.&nbsp;Starrick, in a later update,&nbsp;said there were at least six dead and more than 30 people were hospitalised with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, reported CNN. Those injured include children and adults who&nbsp;ranged in age from two&nbsp;to 80 years.<br />
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The incident took place shortly after 11:00 am (local time). The highway&nbsp; remained closed in both directions several hours later, reported Reuters. The crashes occurred in both the southbound and the northbound lanes.&nbsp;The state police official said the pileup was near the town of Farmersville, over 300 kilometres away from&nbsp;Chicago.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The condition of those injured was not immediately clear. The Illinois Department of Transportation had also said I-55 was closed in both directions between Divernon and Farmersville, Illinois in Sangamon and Montgomery counties. “Traffic is being diverted onto the frontage road. &nbsp;Motorists are urged to take an alternative routes,” said the IDOT.&nbsp;<br />
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US Representative Nikki Budzinski of Illinois took to Twitter and wrote, “My team and I are closely following the devastating crash on I-55 as authorities learn more. Please be safe as this situation continues to unfold.”<br />
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">My team and I are closely following the devastating crash on I-55 as authorities learn more. Please be safe as this situation continues to unfold. <a href="https://t.co/QBZdAFkYUd">https://t.co/QBZdAFkYUd</a></p>
— Rep. Nikki Budzinski (@RepNikkiB) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepNikkiB/status/1653104265466978304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois, issued a "blowing dust warning"&nbsp;at 1:25 pm (local time) adding that "severely limited visibilities are expected. Travel will be dangerous and possibly life-threatening".<br />
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<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
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At least six people were killed and dozens of others injured on Monday (May 1) after a series of car crashes along Interstate 55 in southern Illinois, United States during a dust storm, said the state police.

At least six people were killed and dozens of others injured on Monday (May 1) after a series of car crashes along Interstate 55 in southern Illinois, United States during a dust storm, said the state police. Up to 60 passenger vehicles and about 20 commercial vehicles were involved in both directions of the I-55. Joletta Hill, chief deputy for the Montgomery County Coroner's Office confirmed the six deaths from the accidents, reported Reuters. According to the police, the dust from newly ploughed fields took over the highway. At least two commercial vehicles caught fire “as a result of the crashes,” said Ryan Starrick from Illinois State Police, in a press briefing. He added, “At this time, we have reports of more than 30 people being transported to the hospital and multiple fatalities. The cause of the crash was excessive winds blowing dirt from farm field across the highway leading to zero visibility”. However, the crash is being placed under further investigation, said the official. Starrick, in a later update, said there were at least six dead and more than 30 people were hospitalised with injuries ranging from minor to life-threatening, reported CNN. Those injured include children and adults who ranged in age from two to 80 years. The incident took place shortly after 11:00 am (local time). The highway remained closed in both directions several hours later, reported Reuters. The crashes occurred in both the southbound and the northbound lanes. The state police official said the pileup was near the town of Farmersville, over 300 kilometres away from Chicago. The condition of those injured was not immediately clear. The Illinois Department of Transportation had also said I-55 was closed in both directions between Divernon and Farmersville, Illinois in Sangamon and Montgomery counties. “Traffic is being diverted onto the frontage road. Motorists are urged to take an alternative routes,” said the IDOT. US Representative Nikki Budzinski of Illinois took to Twitter and wrote, “My team and I are closely following the devastating crash on I-55 as authorities learn more. Please be safe as this situation continues to unfold.” My team and I are closely following the devastating crash on I-55 as authorities learn more. Please be safe as this situation continues to unfold. https://t.co/QBZdAFkYUd — Rep. Nikki Budzinski (@RepNikkiB) May 1, 2023 × The National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois, issued a "blowing dust warning" at 1:25 pm (local time) adding that "severely limited visibilities are expected. Travel will be dangerous and possibly life-threatening". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: At least six killed, dozens injured after dust storm in Illinois causes highway pileup

<p>In a shocking video of live coverage, a parked car was seen slipping off the land and gradually sinking into the nearby lake.</p>

<p>A reporter of a local news channel was doing a live news report about a project that is scheduled to take place in the area. However, what was happening in his background was completely unexpected for everyone.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 <a href="https://t.co/Uah0acNmeD">pic.twitter.com/Uah0acNmeD</a></p>
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrianMFloyd/status/1422757196585062400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Jakob Emerson from WICS News Channel 20 was covering a story about a project at the Spaulding Dam in the Sangamon county in Illinois’ Springfield town.</p>

<p>In the video, a white pickup truck was parked in the background. During his coverage, the pickup trick started slowly moving backwards towards the lake. However, the anchor did not realise the movement till the truck fell in the water and submerged almost completely.</p>

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<p>Thankfully, nobody was in the vehicle when the truck fell into the lake. The Sangamon County Rescue Squad also confirmed on Facebook that there have been no injuries and casualties at all, and the car has been successfully rescued.</p>


In a shocking video of live coverage, a parked car was seen slipping off the land and gradually sinking into the nearby lake. A reporter of a local news channel was doing a live news report about a project that is scheduled to take place in the area.

In a shocking video of live coverage, a parked car was seen slipping off the land and gradually sinking into the nearby lake. A reporter of a local news channel was doing a live news report about a project that is scheduled to take place in the area. However, what was happening in his background was completely unexpected for everyone. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Uah0acNmeD — Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) August 4, 2021 × Jakob Emerson from WICS News Channel 20 was covering a story about a project at the Spaulding Dam in the Sangamon county in Illinois’ Springfield town. In the video, a white pickup truck was parked in the background. During his coverage, the pickup trick started slowly moving backwards towards the lake. However, the anchor did not realise the movement till the truck fell in the water and submerged almost completely. × Thankfully, nobody was in the vehicle when the truck fell into the lake. The Sangamon County Rescue Squad also confirmed on Facebook that there have been no injuries and casualties at all, and the car has been successfully rescued.

Watch: Parked car slips into water during live TV coverage

<p>When you’re at the driver seat and distracted, lives of many people are jeopardised.&nbsp;Cab drivers and vehicle owners alike are guilty of scrolling social media, talking on the phone, and attending work meetings while driving.</p>

<p>A lawmaker from Ohio, United States, recently participated in a government meeting while driving. Senator Andrew Brenner could be seen joining the call from his car. A couple of minutes into the meeting, the senator switches to a virtual background. As a result, he is seen sitting at a fake office, with a seatbelt on.</p>

<p>It would have been funny, had it not been so dangerously careless.</p>

<p>This happened on a day when the state of Ohio introduced a “Distracted Driving Bill” which bans writing, sending or reading texts while driving. In addition, it also bans taking photos, livestreaming and using other applications while driving. Looking at videos is also banned. The senator exemplified all that is wrong with distracted drivers.</p>

<p><strong>In the age of GPS navigation, can we really drive without looking at our phones?</strong></p>

<p>From cab drivers to food delivery executives, everyone uses GPS and maps are integral to the service they offer. How will they deliver your parcel if they can't find your address? It's true that while looking at the map, a text or two are often opened, emojis are exchanged, and voice notes are shared. But how do we stop it? Laws have been made, but have they made driving safe?</p>

<p>Last year, India implemented its new Motor Vehicles Act. Under it, a driver is allowed to use his or her phone only for navigation. Talking on the phone while driving can attract fines up to 5,000 rupees and Indian states are allowed to multiply the penalty up to 10 times.</p>

<p>In the UK, the Road Safety Code says that holding a phone while driving is illegal. You can use a phone only when you’re parked and flouting these rules may result in a penalty of up to 2,500 pounds. You can also be taken to court.</p>

<p>A headline from German Autolabs says the following - “Distracted driving is getting worse and legislation isn't working”. Drivers using mobile phones are nearly four times more likely to be involved in a crash. In 2019, over 3,000&nbsp;people died because of distracted driving in the US alone.</p>

<p>Instead of creating awareness about road safety, lawmakers today are leading by example when it comes to risking road safety.</p>

<p>Andrew Brenner, the US Senator, said the following when he was asked about attending a government meeting while driving. &nbsp;“I’ve actually been on other calls, numerous calls, while driving”.</p>

<p>“I had two meeting that were back to back that were in separate location,”&nbsp;he added.</p>

<p>There is absolutely no excuse for driving while attending a meeting from a fake virtual office and being totally unapologetic about it.</p>

<p>Uber’s website claims that distracting driving accounts for 26 per cent of fatalities on the road. The company should share this data with its drivers and create awareness among them. They should also equip employees with navigation system so that they avoid using their phones for map. Replying to texts can wait, phone calls can be made later. Work calls are not about life and death, but distracted driving is.</p>


When you’re at the driver seat and distracted, lives of many people are jeopardised. Cab drivers and vehicle owners alike are guilty of scrolling social media, talking on the phone, and attending work meetings while driving.

When you’re at the driver seat and distracted, lives of many people are jeopardised. Cab drivers and vehicle owners alike are guilty of scrolling social media, talking on the phone, and attending work meetings while driving. A lawmaker from Ohio, United States, recently participated in a government meeting while driving. Senator Andrew Brenner could be seen joining the call from his car. A couple of minutes into the meeting, the senator switches to a virtual background. As a result, he is seen sitting at a fake office, with a seatbelt on. It would have been funny, had it not been so dangerously careless. This happened on a day when the state of Ohio introduced a “Distracted Driving Bill” which bans writing, sending or reading texts while driving. In addition, it also bans taking photos, livestreaming and using other applications while driving. Looking at videos is also banned. The senator exemplified all that is wrong with distracted drivers. In the age of GPS navigation, can we really drive without looking at our phones? From cab drivers to food delivery executives, everyone uses GPS and maps are integral to the service they offer. How will they deliver your parcel if they can't find your address? It's true that while looking at the map, a text or two are often opened, emojis are exchanged, and voice notes are shared. But how do we stop it? Laws have been made, but have they made driving safe? Last year, India implemented its new Motor Vehicles Act. Under it, a driver is allowed to use his or her phone only for navigation. Talking on the phone while driving can attract fines up to 5,000 rupees and Indian states are allowed to multiply the penalty up to 10 times. In the UK, the Road Safety Code says that holding a phone while driving is illegal. You can use a phone only when you’re parked and flouting these rules may result in a penalty of up to 2,500 pounds. You can also be taken to court. A headline from German Autolabs says the following - “Distracted driving is getting worse and legislation isn't working”. Drivers using mobile phones are nearly four times more likely to be involved in a crash. In 2019, over 3,000 people died because of distracted driving in the US alone. Instead of creating awareness about road safety, lawmakers today are leading by example when it comes to risking road safety. Andrew Brenner, the US Senator, said the following when he was asked about attending a government meeting while driving. “I’ve actually been on other calls, numerous calls, while driving”. “I had two meeting that were back to back that were in separate location,” he added. There is absolutely no excuse for driving while attending a meeting from a fake virtual office and being totally unapologetic about it. Uber’s website claims that distracting driving accounts for 26 per cent of fatalities on the road. The company should share this data with its drivers and create awareness among them. They should also equip employees with navigation system so that they avoid using their phones for map. Replying to texts can wait, phone calls can be made later. Work calls are not about life and death, but distracted driving is.

Ohio senator recently attended a Zoom call while driving. Here's what it reveals about 'distracted driving' awareness

<p>A police officer in the western US state of Utah was stunned after stopping what he thought was an impaired driver on a highway only to find a five-year-old behind the wheel.</p>

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<p>The boy said he left home with only $3 in his pocket after an argument with his mom because she refused to buy a sports car, according to the Utah Highway Patrol.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">One of our Troopers in Weber Co. initiated a traffic stop on what he thought was an impaired driver. Turns out it was this young man, age 5, somehow made his way up onto the freeway in his parents' car. Made it from 17th and Lincoln in Ogden down to the 25th St off-ramp SB I-15. <a href="https://t.co/3aF1g22jRB">pic.twitter.com/3aF1g22jRB</a></p>
— Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol) <a href="https://twitter.com/UTHighwayPatrol/status/1257384715998441477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;After the argument, the boy decided to steal the keys to his family’s Dodge Journey so he could drive to California to buy the luxury sports car himself.</p>
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<p>Rick Morgan, the state trooper who pulled over the boy said&nbsp;that he initially thought the driver of the SUV was impaired or was having a medical emergency. He said&nbsp;that he was “not expecting to find what I found” when he approached the car.</p>

<p>''It was pretty clear when the window came down that it was a young, very underage driver that was behind the wheel,”''Morgan said</p>

<p>''He was sitting on the front edge of the seat so that he could reach the brake pedal to keep the car stopped while I was standing there,'' he added.</p>

<p>In a dash-cam video released by the department, the SUV the boy is driving is seen weaving across the freeway as cars and semi-trucks drive&nbsp;past. The child pulls over to the shoulder of the road after the trooper activates his sirens.</p>

<p>The Highway Patrol was able to reach the boy's family, who said his parents were at work and had left him in the care of a sibling.</p>

<p>Highway Patrol Lieutenant&nbsp;Nick Street said no one was hurt and it's not believed that any property was damaged, but the boy's parents could still face charges.</p>


A police officer in the western US state of Utah was stunned after stopping what he thought was an impaired driver on a highway only to find a five-year-old behind the wheel.

A police officer in the western US state of Utah was stunned after stopping what he thought was an impaired driver on a highway only to find a five-year-old behind the wheel. The boy said he left home with only $3 in his pocket after an argument with his mom because she refused to buy a sports car, according to the Utah Highway Patrol. One of our Troopers in Weber Co. initiated a traffic stop on what he thought was an impaired driver. Turns out it was this young man, age 5, somehow made his way up onto the freeway in his parents' car. Made it from 17th and Lincoln in Ogden down to the 25th St off-ramp SB I-15. pic.twitter.com/3aF1g22jRB — Utah Highway Patrol (@UTHighwayPatrol) May 4, 2020 × After the argument, the boy decided to steal the keys to his family’s Dodge Journey so he could drive to California to buy the luxury sports car himself. Rick Morgan, the state trooper who pulled over the boy said that he initially thought the driver of the SUV was impaired or was having a medical emergency. He said that he was “not expecting to find what I found” when he approached the car. ''It was pretty clear when the window came down that it was a young, very underage driver that was behind the wheel,”''Morgan said ''He was sitting on the front edge of the seat so that he could reach the brake pedal to keep the car stopped while I was standing there,'' he added. In a dash-cam video released by the department, the SUV the boy is driving is seen weaving across the freeway as cars and semi-trucks drive past. The child pulls over to the shoulder of the road after the trooper activates his sirens. The Highway Patrol was able to reach the boy's family, who said his parents were at work and had left him in the care of a sibling. Highway Patrol Lieutenant Nick Street said no one was hurt and it's not believed that any property was damaged, but the boy's parents could still face charges.

Five-year-old pulled over while driving to buy Lamborghini