BMW crashes into barrier, drifts into lane, door opens

A white BMW sedan caused alarm on Taiwan's National Freeway No. 3 when it crashed into a guardrail, then drifted back into a traffic lane with its door partially open. The incident, which occurred near the 217.7-kilometer mark in the Caotun section on Tuesday afternoon, narrowly avoided a multi-vehicle collision as other drivers took evasive action.

The 35-year-old male driver, identified by his surname Chen, was found to have a blood alcohol content of zero. While the exact cause is under investigation by the National Freeway Police Bureau's Seventh Detachment, preliminary findings suggest a mechanical failure. Police suspect a broken suspension control arm may have led to the driver losing control of the vehicle.

Authorities are reminding motorists of the importance of pre-trip vehicle inspections, including checking tire pressure and tread depth, to prevent accidents caused by mechanical issues. They also advised that in case of any vehicle malfunction on the freeway, drivers should immediately pull over to the shoulder or a safety bay. If this is not possible, they should exit the vehicle, face oncoming traffic, and retreat to a safe location away from the roadway. Assistance can be sought by using the 1968APP police reporting function.

Damage to the BMW's front right side was significant. The incident highlights the potential dangers of undetected mechanical failures and the importance of vehicle maintenance for road safety.