What Can Be Done To Protect Dallas Motorists From Wrong-Way Drivers?

Brooks Schuelke — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:48:21 GMT

I previously wrote that I thought the North Texas Toll Authority was not doing enough to protect motorists on the Dallas North Tollway from wrong way drivers. If that’s the case, what can be done?

First, I think the NTTA needs to take a real tough look at the design of the on-ramps and off-ramps of the tollway. I know that Sherita Coffelt, the NTTA spokeswoman, has remained steadfast that no problems exist with configuration, but it’s clear that something is wrong. I know that in several other states, the various transportation departments have been able to drastically reduce the wrong-way driver incidents by such simple tactics as adding or removing barriers to more clearly direct traffic, making it harder for drivers to get on roadways going the wrong direction and easier for drivers to get on roadways properly. The NTTA needs to have the experts at the Texas Transportation Institute look this over and see if any solutions exist.

Second, since warning drunk drivers they’re driving the wrong way is largely ineffective, the NTTA should investigate a system to warn drivers going the correct way when wrong way drivers might be present. For more than a decade, New Mexico has used an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) to warn drivers driving the correct way of the presence of wrong way drivers. The system uses a vehicle sensor near exit ramps. When vehicles are detected driving the wrong way, the system triggers two flashing lights; one light facing the wrong way driver flashes warning him or her, and another light facing the proper flow of traffic starts flashing to warn that traffic of the presence of a wrong way driver. This gives a warning to the drivers that are actually in a position to react — drivers driving the proper direction. Since then, other states have experimented with the use of various ITS systems to warn drivers and to even automatically warn public safety officials about the presence of wrong way drivers.

Third, the NTTA should take the lead on educating the driving public on how to "defend" themselves from wrong way drivers. For instance, most wrong way wrecks occur in the left lane of traffic (because drivers going the wrong way tend to stay to their right). The public should be warned to limit their driving in the left lane after dark, the peak time for wrong way wrecks. The NTTA should take the lead on an educational campaign to provide tips such as this to motorists.

In the last bit of hope, leads may also be coming from the automotive industry. For example, BMW and Nissan are both working on systems that would use vehicles’ GPS and navigation systems to warn the car’s driver, and potentially other drivers, when the car is entering the roadway in the wrong direction.

If you want to learn more about wrong way wrecks and countermeasures, please read this technical report from Scott Cooner at the Texas Transportation Institute. I have read countless articles and reports on wrong-way drivers, and this report is the most thorough.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brooks Schuelke

Wrong Way Drivers Causing A Rash of Traffic Fatalities In Dallas And Austin

Brooks Schuelke — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:22:32 GMT

It's one of those things that's almost too bizarre to be true. This weekend, four people were killed in a wreck caused by a wrong way driver on the Dallas North Tollway. The wreck occurred despite Department of Public Safety officers trying to stop the driver. You can see footage courtesy of Austin's KVUE.

But the amazing this is that this is not an isolated incident. In fact, the Dallas North Tollway seems to be a magnet for wrong way drivers and fatalities. On June 1, two people were killed on the Dallas North Tollway by a wrong way driver. In May, a teenager was killed on the Dallas North Tollway by another wrong way driver, and there was another wrong way wreck on the Dallas North Tollway in April. And the most recent of the rash of wrecks occurred when a wrong way driver resulted in one fatality and several other injuries in October 2008.

But wrong way wrecks aren't limited to the Dallas North Tollway; Austin has experienced its own problems with wrong way drivers. Earlier this month, a wreck caused by a wrong way driver killed a man in Austin, and in April 2008, a wrong way driver killed two people in a collision on I-35.

So these types of wrecks are more common that we would think. But what's the cause and what can we do about them? I'll try to post on those two questions later in the week.

Until then, you might check out these related Injuryboard links:

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Brooks Schuelke

Austin Personal Injury Lawyer - wrong way drivers

What Can Be Done To Protect Dallas Motorists From Wrong-Way Drivers?

Wrong Way Drivers Causing A Rash of Traffic Fatalities In Dallas And Austin