Sometimes you get lucky. A interstate near me that I used to drive on the regular had something horrific like that happen where there were something like 80+ vehicles in one crash. The fires were so hot it melted the road and it had to be repaired. Yeah, several people died horridly.
People need to take their safety in their own hands and pay attention to conditions and how others are driving. There have been times I pulled off the main highway for a couple of hours just to let the crazy's pass and for the weather to improve. I have driven through some of the worst weather in the country more than once and I don't want to unless I absolutely have to.
I hear you. I often drive the Coquihala highway to Vancouver. It had it's own reality show with tow truck drivers. I think it was called Highway to Hell or something, I don't remember. It's high in the rockies and brutal in winter. It's exhausting driving in White out conditions for hours. Worse to me is freeways on flat areas that get cross winds though. It changes in seconds and people have no skills and all season tires. Like you said, pulling off the highway and waiting is by far the best choice.
Yeah, I remember that show too. I think I watched all of it along with several like it including "ice road truckers". Shit can go sideways really damn fast and sometimes its just best to delay something a day if you have to or even a couple of hours.
You only have one life after all.