Icy roads lead to multiple car crashes in Groningen, Drenthe, Friesland
Icy conditions from Friday night into Saturday morning have caused multiple traffic accidents across the northern Netherlands, authorities report. The most serious incident occurred near Wildervank in Groningen, where a van slid off the N33 and crashed head-on into a tree. No injuries were reported.
Rijkswaterstaat says about 10 accidents occurred overnight in Drenthe, Friesland, and Groningen as temperatures hovered around freezing, creating slippery roads, particularly on untreated local streets. In Friesland, a truck slid off the N31 near Harlingen into a ditch. Elsewhere in Groningen, several vehicles left the road near Kolham and Scharmer, including an accident on the N387 near Kolham.
Parents with kids don't have to drive because work and many sports games are canceled. That helps enormously,” a Rijkswaterstaat spokesperson said. Despite these conditions, accidents continued through Saturday morning. Authorities warn that untreated roads remain extremely slippery and advise motorists to avoid travel unless necessary.
The Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, KNMI, reports that as of 1 p.m., Drenthe and Groningen remain under a code orange warning for icy roads, while Overijssel, Friesland, and the Wadden Islands are under code yellow. All northern and northeastern provinces under code yellow are expected to maintain the advisory at least until Sunday morning.
Icy roads also contributed to an overnight crash in Valthermond, Drenthe, where a police vehicle collided with another car while officers were responding to an emergency call.
Additional accidents occurred Saturday morning, including a collision between a car and a fatbike at the intersection of Lodewijkstraat and Verlengde Lodewijkstraat in Groningen city. No one was injured.
Near Holwierde, two cars collided at the intersection of Hogelandsterweg and Nansumerweg. One person was injured, and both vehicles left the road and came to rest in a ditch. The road toward Delfzijl remains temporarily closed. It is unclear whether icy conditions contributed to that crash.
Rijkswaterstaat also reports traffic delays on the A27 toward Gorinchem after an accident near Noordeloos. Three vehicles need to be towed, and the left lane remains closed. Drivers are advised that taking the A2 is currently faster.
Rijkswaterstaat began salting national highways overnight but warns that untreated local roads remain “mirror-slick,” especially in rural areas.
