Wet roadways keep first responders busy on Central Coast

Rain iswelcome on the Central Coast, but Thursday’s showers keptfirst respondersbusy on the roads.

A head-on crashHighway 129 in Watsonville landed six people in the hospital. The California Highway Patrol said wet roadways played a factor.

“They fishtailed out of control, crossed into oncoming traffic and went head-on with(another) vehicle,” said Officer Trevor Smith.

Smith said heoften seesdrivers not paying attention when the roads are wet.

“If the roadway is wet, it’s that much worse,” said Smith.

The dangers are enhanced when you’re speeding.NewsChannel 5 rode along with Smith when he pulled over a driver for going 85 mph on Highway 1 and the road was still wet from earlier showers.

“Speeding in the rain just amplifies all the dangers of speeding. Obviously, if your speeding you’re ability to stop or react to a hazard is going to be reduced,” said Smith.