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.

Wrong-Way Collisions on Iowa's Interstate and State Highways



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 Iowa Edict 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 )
Steve Lombardi, lawyer



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”.

Wrong Way Drivers Causing A Rash of Traffic Fatalities In Dallas And Austin, June 22, 2009, Brooks Schuelke

Wrong-way Drivers, June 2, 2009, Beth Janicek.

Merchants of Interstate Death or Injury: Wrong Way Drivers-Usually Drunk or Drugged, June 22, 2009, Rick Shapiro.

What are the causes of wrong-way drivers, aka “ghost riders”?

 Alcohol or drug related driver confusion.

2.      Old age and confusion.

3.      Mental defect or disease.

4.      Purposeful acts including attempts to commit suicide and criminals attempting to elude law enforcement officers.

5.      Inexperience.

6.      Signage confusion and road design.  Broad medians can cause sight confusion with situational awareness.

7.      GPS providing incorrect, inaccurate or confusing information.

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.

How can drivers avoid wrong-way driving?

1.                  Don’t drive drunk.
2.                  When coming to a divided highway come to a complete stop, look at and read the signs, making sure you know which way to go.
3.                  Don’t allow vehicles to the rear to rush you.
4.                  Stay off the telephone when driving.
5.                  Don’t allow distractions to interfere with being vigilant about your driving.
6.                  If you’re a young driver, don’t drive when the other passengers are a distraction.
7.                  If you’re an elderly driver, get evaluated once a year to see if your senses and skill level allow you to safely drive. Don’t be so stubborn about giving up your driver’s license that you ignore the signs of perception difficulties. Invest in and use a GPS.

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.

Wrong-way collisions are frightening to think about simply because there are so many deaths associate with being involved in one. Also, considering you have two vehicles, or more, traveling in opposite directions towards each other at 70 M.P.H. the forces generated on impact are tremendous and almost certain death.  But we do have to examine them and educate ourselves about how to recognize and to avoid this near-certain death car-truck-motorcycle-SUV-van crash.



Welcome to the Lombardi Law Firm website. Being prepared isn’t the same as being able to litigate a lawsuit. Don’t be foolish, be prepared and seek good legal advice from a seasoned personal injury lawyer. Know your rights, protect yourself and be alert to risks that can cause injury or death. Visit the Lombardi Law Firm’s website. Steve Lombardi writes for each and explores the how's and why’s people are injured. He also provides commentary and insight on his blog at The Verdict and on the Des Moines Register. We try to make our website an interesting source of information for all people who seek information concerning injury or death. We attempt to provide information that makes you more aware of how to avoid injury and death.  We are here to assist you to stay safe. Call us if you have legal or safety questions. (515-222-1110) We are willing to assist you in finding answers to your questions and regularly write about safety that readers bring to our attention about the workplace and on the highway. Good luck on the road and job site and be safe. sdlombardi@aol.com

If you or your spouse is involved in any kind of accident contact the Lombardi Law Firm. We will assist you with your claim. Steve Lombardi has more than 30 years in civil litigation including death and injury cases for workers and their spouses from many types of accidents and injuries. We don't charge you to talk with Mr. Lombardi to find out if you have a case. Don't delay call him today. Attorney Lombardi writes for blogs at The Verdict on Lombardi Law Firm, the Iowa Edict and on occasion on the Des Moines Register web site. Steve Lombardi is a personal injury lawyer, husband, father and grandfather who pride’s himself on doing more than just practicing law. Join us in making the world a safer place.

Know your rights, act proactively and protect yourself.

 Steve Lombardi, Attorney

 



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