Wrong-Way Crashes May be on the Rise in Florida
In only the first week of 2024, there were eleven fatal car accidents in Florida, three of which involved wrong-way drivers. Of the many kinds of accidents in which Florida drivers can be involved on our state’s congested roadways, wrong-way crashes are perhaps the most deadly. While the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has taken steps to implement new technology that will hopefully prevent these kinds of accidents in the future, these measures are by no means a guarantee of safety for Florida road users.
What Causes Wrong-Way Crashes?
Unlike many other types of accidents, wrong-way crashes, which happen when one vehicle is traveling in the wrong direction and strikes another vehicle head-on, tend to occur for a few specific reasons. In one study, for instance, FDOT found that alcohol and drugs were involved in almost 50 percent of wrong-way accidents, which is 16 times the proportion for other freeway crashes. The majority of these accidents (as much as 70 percent) also occur in dark conditions, especially during the early morning hours (between 12:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.) and on weekends. Many of these accidents are attributed to falling asleep at the wheel or driving while distracted. A lack of familiarity with the area and confusing or ill-lighted road signs are also thought to contribute to wrong-way crashes, causing drivers to unknowingly travel in the wrong direction.
Could Technological Improvements Prevent Wrong-Way Accidents?
The number of wrong-way accidents occurring in Florida has become alarming enough that state agencies have begun implementing new preventive measures, including:
- The use of camera detection systems that notify police officers of wrong-way drivers;
- The installation of LED-highlighted wrong-way signs; and
- The use of message board notifications on roadways.
Many cities are also upgrading their sign sizes, lowering the mounted height for such signs, adding dotted guide line stripes for left turns between ramp entrances and exits, using retroreflective paint on ramp medians, and extending cross-street medians to discourage wrong-way turning. While these changes could go a long way towards preventing wrong-way accidents across the state, these kinds of collisions are still occurring across the state and are likely to continue doing so. This is alarming for anyone who spends any time on our state’s roads, as wrong-way accidents almost always result in catastrophic, and sometimes deadly injuries.
Protecting the Rights of Florida Accident Victims for More than 40 Years
If you or a loved one suffered injuries because of a wrong-way driver, our experienced Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers can help you. We can investigate the cause of your accident, help preserve evidence, file a claim and conduct negotiations on your behalf, if necessary, take your case to court, and ultimately, help you recover the damages to which you are entitled. Call Boone & Davis at 954-566-9919 or contact us online to set up a free consultation with our legal team today.
Sources:
wftv.com/news/local/nearly-dozen-fatal-crashes-reported-so-far-2024-several-due-wrong-way-driving/OKRLLKBWSJFPNAJ3HRRMUHGPFQ/
fdot.gov/traffic/teo-divisions.shtm/cav-ml-stamp/Wrong-Way-driving
