What are the Recommended Fixes for Wrong Way Driving Events? | DENENA | POINTS
CALL
TEXT

What are the Recommended Fixes for Wrong Way Driving Events?

Continued from Part 3. Wrong-way driving is a dangerous and persistent problem that defies easy solution. There are several major, contributing causes to the problem that won’t simply go away.

Car_with_frontal_collision

People continue to drink and drive. The population continues to age, leading to increased use of medications that can adversely affect driving performance. And the Houston car accident attorneys at Denena Points, PC realize that traffic control signs and indicators can be confusing, leading to deadly errors in driving direction.

Recommended Solutions to the Wrong-Way Driving Problem

The U.S. NTSB, in its latest study on the problem, the NTSB Highway Special Investigation Report on Wrong-Way Driving, December 11, 2012, makes several recommendations designed to help reduce the incidence of wrong-way driving crashes:

  • Traffic control devices should be designed to make exit ramps readily distinguishable from entrance ramps. Our Houston car accident attorneys note that this could include modifications to current signage, roadway marking, and roadway lighting standards.
  • Traffic interchange design can increase the likelihood of wrong-way driving mistakes. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials should address issues of ramp design and pavement channelization to reduce the incidence of wrong-way drivers entering exit ramps.
  • The FHWA should develop solutions, to be recommended to the states, that would prevent drivers from entering and access ramp in the wrong direction; alert them to their error if they do; all them to correct course to the right direction on the exit ramp; and alert drivers driving the wrong way on a divided highway (a major problem on rural highways).
  • Efforts are needed by the FHWA and NHTSA to reduce the incidence of older drivers’ wrong-way collisions.
  • New countermeasures are needed for alcohol-impaired driving, including renewed emphasis on this problem at local, state, and federal levels. Installation of alcohol ignition interlock devices (IIDs) on the vehicles of all convicted DWI offenders would be an improvement. And the DADSS device has potential to help once the technical and practical challenges have been overcome, including public acceptance for such a device.
  • The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriff’s Association should work on a best practices plan to guide law enforcement officers in responding to incidents of wrong-way driving. Our Houston car accident attorneys point out that there are currently few ways to stop a wrong-way driver that don’t involve danger to the driver, the officers, and others in the vicinity.
  • Standards are needed for GPS navigational alerts designed to alert wrong-way drivers to their mistake.

Injured in a Serious Wrong-Way Driving Crash? Download our FREE Book to Learn What You need to do After a Serious Injury

Medical_evacuation_after_car_accident_Kawartha_Lakes_Ontario

Click on the book icon on this web page to download your free book. The book contains information to help you protect your rights and make a successful accident injury claim after another driver’s error has caused you harm.

 

If you have specific questions about your own serious accident injury, don’t hesitate to contact our Houston car accident attorneys for a free, no obligation legal consultation to discuss your case and evaluate your potential eligibility for financial compensation. We’re available at 281-369-4363 or through our online contact form. Put our legal knowledge and 15 years of experience to work for your future.