I'm sure there is a lot going on when something like this happens.
I've seen pile ups like this before. Between seeing all the pile ups, the dashcam footage, and clips from shows like Canada's Worst Driver where they actually teach accident avoidance can help someone be more well prepared just in case.
However when it comes down to it there are a few factors that I always seem to see, and I don't know if some drives are really even willing to wake up, and it's not just in situations like this, but normal driving as well.
People love to speed. Now to try and be a little fair yes I am a car person, and I understand that people especially people with nicer cars that are built a little for it like to put their foot in it every now and again. I've even seen people that have and are trying to have the legal maximum speed limit raised in different states and that is fine, but it is when people go fast in traffic, in poor road conditions like above, or speed in a distracted manner that causes issues. It's also in what you drive. if you drive a 1993 Dodge Dynasty that suffers from the Mopar Lean (Worn out rear suspension that causes the rear of the car to sag) you should probably not be doing 85-90 down the highway in good clear weather.
People tend to panic. While ingredient number one for disaster is speed number to is panic. While members here and myself have seen what can happen both through shared video and first hand and then can help better prepare when they are faced with it not everyone has and people that have not seen or dealt with such situation will be unsure what to do and will panic. You can see in the video some (but not all) of the truck drivers are able to slowly and carefully make their way through everything they also have radios and are able to call for help without leaving their rig.
How can drivers wake up to this? It's really a few easy steps that take a little bit of work that most drivers will not want to be bothered to put in.
Maintain your vehicle Check your tire pressure regularly and keep it correct. Check your wheel alignments. Check your lights (seriously) If a part is worn out replace or have it replaced. I've been noticing a lot of other drivers having two of three or even all of their rear lighting not functioning, and at night or in bad weather this is extremely dangerous.
Focus while driving Even more so in bad weather, but even in regular driving. Don't play with your phone, your,iPod or eat dinner in the driver seat. I've almost been hit by distracted drivers not noticing red lights and stop signs before.
Practice Practice Practice This one is tough because a bit of people are not willing to do it. Some places offer winter driving practice where they let you bring your car and loose control in a controlled environment. Even if you could find a place empty and out of the way so you don't bother anyone or hit anything. Get the car sideways on purpose see what it feels like to loose grip and how the car acts. Then work on bringing it safely and calmly back under control.