Wrong Way Driving Not an Uncommon Problem

Michael Chandler

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The North Carolina Highway Patrol reports that another head on collision occurred on Interstate - 485 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The car accident which occurred on June 9 around 11:15 pm is the latest in a series of wrong way driving accidents which have plagued Charlotte interstates in recent months. According to a report in the Charlotte Observer, three adults and two children were taken to Carolinas Medical Center with injuries.

A Texas Transportation Institute report found approximately 50% of car accidents involving wrong way drivers result in incapacitating injuries or death. According to the same report, these crashes typically involve male drivers, elderly drivers or intoxicated drivers and the accidents usually occur in the non-daylight hours.

What can be done to prevent these dangerous and deadly car accidents? The United States Department of Transportation (US-DOT) has been studying the problem since the Interstate Highway System was created in the 1950s. Some factors that can diminish the problem are being studied or utilized in other states. These measures include, embedded sensors in the road to detect wrong way drivers, video sensors, sensor activated flashing lights, road spikes, cracking down on drunk driving and safer highway interchange design. Even with improved safety standards history shows these accidents will continue to happenresulting in injury ordeathto innocent drivers.

If you witness a wrong way driver call 911 immediately and if you or someone you care about is affected by someone else’s negligence consult an attorney immediately so the accident can be investigated by a professional with your best interest in consideration.