Wrong way driving crashes occur when a vehicle has not observed posted traffic signs or pavement markings and proceeds in a lane going the wrong direction.
Especially at night and during transitional light times such as dawn and dusk, motorists are encouraged to stay in the right lane, when possible, to avoid a crash with a wrong way driver. In the majority of wrong way crashes, vehicles are hit head-on, resulting in 75 percent of all wrong way fatalities. Head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous and deadly crashes.
DHSMV offers the following safety tips for motorists to avoid wrong way driving crashes:
- Stay Right at Night to avoid crashes with wrong way drivers.
- Call 911 immediately to report wrong way drivers. If you see a wrong way driver approaching, immediately reduce your speed and pull off the roadway.
- Stay alert – do not drive distracted. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Learn and obey all traffic signs. If you drive past a wrong way sign, turn around immediately. When you see a posted red sign, think: “Stop.” “Do Not Enter.” “Wrong Way.”
- Look for FDOT dynamic messaging signs for wrong way driver alerts. When you see an alert, reduce your speed, move over to the right and proceed with extreme caution. If you see a wrong way driver approaching, immediately pull off the roadway.
FDOT is implementing various wrong way driving countermeasures, such as wrong way signage, roadway reflectors, large painted pavement markings to help motorists identify the proper entrance and exit ramps on the interstate, flashing signs at exit ramps with radar detection, and emergency alert signage when wrong way drivers are detected.