The Verdict

Wrong-way Interstate and Highway Collisions in Iowa

• An updated list of the most recent wrong-way collisions on the interstate highways
• Iowa News: Wrong-way Driving on the Interstate Highway System
• Wrong-way driver distracted and misled by GPS

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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 should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?

1.      Get to the shoulder and stop.

2.      If you can’t get to the shoulder, slow down and attempt to safely stop your vehicle.

3.      Sound your horn.

4.      Put on your lights.

5.      Call 9-1-1.

6.      Before getting in the car wear your seat belts.

7.      Drive in the right hand lane of travel on the Interstate.

8.      When passing or coming to the crest of a hill look ahead for a wrong-way driver making sure the lane is clear.

9.      Assume when in the left hand lane of a divided highway that you may come upon a wrong-way driver.

10.  When driving on a divided highway stay vigilant and pay attention to what is ahead of you. Avoid allowing distractions to take your attention off the road ahead.

Read More About What should you do if you see a wrong-way driver?...

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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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