The Verdict

Wrong-way Interstate and Highway Collisions in Iowa

• Another Iowa Wrong-way Collsion on I-280
• An updated list of the most recent wrong-way collisions on the interstate highways
• Iowa News: Wrong-way Driving on the Interstate Highway System

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News

Wrong-way drivers are causing deaths in America’s interstate highway system all across the United States. Wrong-way collisions can have several causes and there are things we can do to educate ourselves from being involved in one. With two vehicles traveling towards one another at 70 mph death is almost certain.  So what can you do to avoid being in one?

For several months I’ve collected news items on wrong-way collisions and have analyzed where, when and how they occurred. There have been so many that I can only cover the month of July for 2009 and that is enough to provide us with 70 separate wrong-way collisions from hundreds of news stories.  From these news reported collisions that here are the general causes and how we can avoid being one of those who die from a wrong-way driver coming towards us at 50 to 70 mph.

I became interested in this subject back in November 2008 when I wrote, Interstate Highway Safety: Part I - Ghost drivers continue to be a problem on U.S. Interstate Highways and followed up with Interstate Highway Safety - Ghost Drivers – Part II. Since then other InjuryBoard members have written and the discussion has become varied and lively. So do a search on the InjuryBoard and see what the lawyer in your state has said about wrong-way drivers or “ghost riders”.

What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

What else needs to happen to reduce wrong-way collisions?

1.                  States could identify the locations of repeated wrong-way entry points. Those points could be redesigned including tire puncture equipment such as we see in use at most parking ramps.

2.                  The Court’s must get very tough on drunk drivers and those who cause collisions from being on cell phones (talking or texting); more than they already have been.

3.                  The DOT should begin an education campaign for drivers to recognize and avoid wrong-way drivers.

4.                  The DOT should begin an education campaign to instruct drivers what to do when a wrong-way driver approaches.

5.                  States should further study wrong-way avoidance road and sign designs.

6.                  State DOT’s should consider a different middle line design with hash marks bent in the direction of travel and against the opposing direction.

7.                  Juries in civil actions need to send a clear message to offenders with large punitive damage awards.

8.                  The DOT needs to evaluate older drivers annually for visual and mental awareness; taking away driving privileges where there is risk.

9.                  Lawyers need to plead punitive damages in wrong-way collisions.

10.              Victims need to be educated on what to do when they are involved in a wrong-way collision.

11.              Witnesses of wrong-way collisions need to get involved with identifying themselves to police officers investigating a wrong-way collision. Those witnesses may have very valuable information to helping identify the entry points, causes and preventive measures.

12.              DOT accident forms need to be amended to allow the collection of information to identify characteristics associated with causing wrong-way entry points, times when wrong-way collisions are most likely to occur and driver characteristics of those likely to drive the wrong-way. Children and friends of older drivers need to get involved with identifying those likely wrong-way drivers.

13.              States should consider a radio system that would allow public service interruptions, like what is done on television when a weather emergency is eminent. It wouldn’t be perfect (not all radios are on) but something is perhaps better than nothing.

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Welcome to the Lombardi Law Firm website. Knowing your rights and how to protect yourself is important. Always be alert to risks that can cause you injury or get you killed.  Steve Lombardi provides commentary and insight on this blog, The Verdict and also writes for the Des Moines market of the InjuryBoard.com and on occasion on the Des Moines Register web site. Steve Lombardi has more than 30 years in civil litigation including death and injury cases for workers and their spouses for all types of accidents and injuries. Attorney Steve Lombardi is a personal injury lawyer. Join us in making the world a safer place. (515-222-1110 or sdlombardi@aol.com )

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