Traffic sucks. There is really no other way to put it, especially when you are staring at a sea of brake lights because of the 79 north accident today. If you are sitting in your car right now, or maybe you are just trying to figure out why your commute suddenly doubled, you're looking for answers that go beyond a simple red line on a GPS map.
I’ve spent enough time tracking regional traffic patterns to know that Interstate 79 is a bit of a beast. It’s a major artery. When one car slides or two trucks clip each other, the entire corridor from the city outskirts up through the northern suburbs feels the squeeze. It's a domino effect. One minute you're cruising at 65, and the next, you're checking your gas gauge and wondering if you'll make it to your meeting or home for dinner.
What actually caused the backup on 79 North?
The reality of the 79 north accident today usually boils down to a few specific pinch points that locals know all too well. Whether it’s the merge near the I-279 split or the narrow stretches near Wexford, this highway doesn’t leave much room for error. Today’s specific incident involved a multi-vehicle collision that forced emergency crews to shut down at least two lanes.
State police are usually quick to get on the scene, but "quick" is relative when you have to move twisted metal and deal with potential fluid spills.
Sometimes it’s a simple rear-end collision because someone was looking at a text. Other times, it’s the weather—even a light drizzle makes those bridge decks slicker than they look. If you’re heading north, the bottlenecking starts miles before you even see the flashing lights. It’s frustrating. You feel trapped.
The ripple effect on local side roads
When 79 North becomes a parking lot, everyone has the same "genius" idea: take the back roads. But here’s the thing—Route 19 and the surrounding borough streets weren’t designed to handle the overflow of an entire interstate.
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- Route 19 usually turns into a crawl within twenty minutes of a major highway wreck.
- Side cuts through residential areas often hit school bus zones or local stop signs that create their own mini-jams.
- GPS apps like Waze often send hundreds of drivers down the same narrow alleyway, creating a "secondary" traffic nightmare.
Honestly, sometimes staying on the highway is faster than trying to navigate the "shortcuts" that every other driver is also trying to use. It’s a toss-up.
Why this stretch of 79 is so prone to accidents
If you look at the data from the Department of Transportation, there are specific "hot zones" on 79 North. The geography is tricky. You have rolling hills that create blind crests. Drivers tend to speed up on the descents, and if traffic has pooled at the bottom of a hill, you don't see the brake lights until it’s almost too late.
It’s about kinetic energy.
A car traveling at 70 mph needs a lot of space to stop. Add in a heavy semi-truck or a driver who isn’t maintaining a proper following distance, and you have a recipe for the exact kind of 79 north accident today that we are seeing.
Understanding the emergency response timeline
People often wonder why it takes so long to clear a wreck. It feels like forever when you’re the one waiting. First, the 911 dispatch has to coordinate. Then, fire and EMS arrive to check for injuries. After that, the police have to document the scene for insurance and legal reasons. If there is a "tow-away" involved, you have to wait for a heavy-duty rig if it's a commercial vehicle.
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It’s a process. It’s not just about pushing a car off the road.
Real-world advice for navigating the mess
Look, if you are already stuck, you’re stuck. But there are ways to make the next hour less miserable.
First, stop riding the bumper of the person in front of you. It’s tempting to close the gap because you're annoyed, but "accordion" braking just makes the traffic wave last longer. If everyone maintained a steady, slow roll, the whole line would move more efficiently.
Second, check your exits early. If you see the "79 north accident today" alert and you haven't hit the main backup yet, get off two exits early. Don't wait until the exit ramp itself is blocked by people trying to bail at the last second.
Third, keep an eye on the shoulder. Emergency vehicles need that space. If you see people using the shoulder to bypass traffic, just know they’re usually the ones getting pulled over a mile up the road, which—let’s be honest—is a tiny bit of justice we all enjoy seeing.
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Is there a better way home?
Depending on how far north you’re going, you might want to consider the turnpike or even heading way East to catch some of the secondary arteries like Route 8. It’s a longer distance, sure, but moving at 40 mph is always better than sitting at 0 mph.
I’ve found that the psychological toll of sitting still is much worse than the extra ten miles on the odometer.
Safety first, even when you're frustrated
It’s easy to get "road rage" when a wreck ruins your schedule. But remember, the people involved in the 79 north accident today are having a much worse day than you are. Someone might be hurt. Someone is definitely dealing with a totaled car and an insurance nightmare.
Stay patient.
Check the local traffic feeds or the 511 system for real-time updates on lane openings. Often, they’ll open a shoulder or a single lane to let the "pressure" out of the traffic pipe. Once that happens, things move surprisingly fast.
What to do right now
If you’re still behind the wheel or planning to head out, here is the move:
- Check 511PA immediately: Don't rely solely on one app. Use the official state sensors to see if the lanes are actually open or if it’s a total closure.
- Delay your departure: If you haven't left yet, wait 45 minutes. The "clean up" phase is usually shorter than the "response" phase.
- Prepare for the "Rubbernecking" Delay: Even after the wreck is cleared, people will slow down to look at the debris or the police cars. Expect an extra 10-minute delay even when the road looks "clear."
- Check your tires: Seriously. A lot of these accidents happen because of poor tread on wet roads. Take a second to look at yours when you finally get home.
Be safe out there. Traffic is temporary, but your safety isn't. Keep your eyes on the road and give yourself some grace on the timing.