Traffic accidents tie-up traffic on a Tulsa turnpike Monday morning

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers are still sorting out a series of wrecks on the Creek Turnpike Monday. <br/><br/>Four pileups in four minutes turned the Monday morning commute into a major mess. It

Monday, May 16th 2005, 7:27 am

By: News On 6

Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers are still sorting out a series of wrecks on the Creek Turnpike Monday.

Four pileups in four minutes turned the Monday morning commute into a major mess. It happened just before 8 AM. Investigators say one driver came up on sudden congestion in the westbound lanes and with nowhere to go crossed the median and swerved into oncoming traffic.

The move triggered several collisions in both directions. About 10 cars were damaged, but amazingly, no one was seriously injured.

Troopers say it's all a case of following too closely, too fast.

OHP trooper Lt Phil Guest: â€œthe rule of thumb is always one car length for every 10 mph, you're driving out in that traffic you're seeing half a car length of the bumper of the other vehicle." Which Guest says leaves the driver no time to stop.