People are also running out of fuel, which is practically a death sentence in 20-degree frosts.
The mega-jam at Baikal has persisted for the third day and has stretched nearly 100 kilometers — around 10,000 cars are stuck on the road.
According to "Baza," some drivers have run out of supplies — they have to beg for food and water from other motorists. The rest are taking refuge in cafes at gas stations and three heating points where food is provided. People are also running out of fuel, which is practically a death sentence in 20-degree frosts. Rescuers are trying to deliver gasoline to those freezing, and people are also offered warmth at a temporary accommodation point for 549 people that has been set up in a local school in Baikalsk.
According to motorists, one of the reasons the traffic jam has not dissipated yet is unscrupulous drivers. As soon as a line of cars starts to move, there are those who are "in a hurry," who drive into oncoming traffic, get stuck, and the movement comes to a standstill again.
In some areas, drivers have been stationary for 7–8 hours. To prevent the situation in the Slyudyanka district from worsening, the passage of trucks has been restricted on the highway until the end of the day.
In addition to adverse weather conditions, according to road services, the traffic jams are caused by gross violations of traffic rules by heavy truck drivers — specifically, driving into oncoming lanes. "Because of this, special equipment cannot timely clear and treat the road surface from snow," local road workers explained.
