Traffic on the A2 ‘Autostrada del Mediterraneo’ ground to a halt late this morning after a chain-collision involving four cars and a heavy-goods vehicle near the Altilia-Grimaldi exit in the Cosenza province. According to ANSA, emergency services closed the southbound carriageway to allow firefighters to secure a GPL-fuelled vehicle and extract three injured occupants, who were transported to hospital. The road partially reopened just before noon, but residual queues stretched for 5 km. The incident underscores the vulnerability of Italy’s main north-south freight corridor, used by distributors moving perishable goods from Calabria and Sicily to central markets. Cold-chain operators reported delays of up to two hours, though most were able to maintain temperature integrity thanks to refrigerated units. Motorway operator Anas reminds drivers that the A2 features limited detour options in mountainous terrain; businesses with time-critical deliveries should consider contingency buffers, especially during the November–December peak. The accident also revives discussion on mandatory distance-keeping sensors for heavy vehicles—measures being evaluated in the Transport Ministry’s forthcoming road-safety bill. Travellers heading towards Sicily today are advised to check Anas social-media channels or dial the 1518 hotline before departure. Insurance experts say that, because the crash led to an official closure order, companies may claim ‘extraordinary route’ clauses in transport-delay insurance policies to recoup part of the costs.
Source: ANSA
