Drivers slowing down to look at a single-car crash disrupted the Wednesday morning commute on the Beltway’s Outer Loop, backing up traffic for 24 miles and frustrating morning commuters.

Area residents have become accustomed to a ponderous drive during rush hour. But one mishap, such as Wednesday’s, can turn roads into parking lots.

“If a few things go wrong, it becomes pandemonium,” said Lon Anderson, a spokesman for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Maryland State Trooper Gary Mathias, who responded to the accident, said a sedan in the far left-hand lane of the Outer Loop slammed against the retaining wall at about 8 a.m. The crash occurred near the Landover Road exit in Prince George’s County.

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“The driver just lost control,” Mathias said. “He said he tried to slow down and when he did, his brakes locked up and he hit the wall.”

The driver was able to maneuver his car onto the shoulder so no lanes had to be closed, but gawking motorists caused the slowdown.

Traffic backed up 24 miles as a result of the incident, Mathias said, but the clog ebbed by 9 a.m.

“When we have an accident on the Beltway, everybody slows down to take a peek,” Mathias said.

jrogalsky@dcexaminer.com