Wrong-way auto accidents are some of the most serious types of collisions that occur on Rhode Island's highways. Seeing a vehicle traveling the wrong way and hurtling toward oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed can be terrifying. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), wrong-way accidents on divided highways are far more likely to result in deadly or serious injuries than any other type of car accidents.
State's Prevention Efforts
Having understood the utter devastation these types of accidents can cause, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation this year launched a $2-million project intended to try and stop people from entering exit ramps. Officials said that the state sees at least one fatal crash each year due to drivers going the wrong way on its major highways. Last spring, the department installed new "intelligent transportation systems" on highway off ramps at 20 different locations.
These devices detect vehicles entering the highway from the off-ramp triggering two flashing wrong-way signs to alert the driver. If the driver continues past the flashing signs, stat
e police would be automatically notified. The DOT also installed increased signage and markers on every off ramp statewide to help prevent drivers from entering the wrong way on highways.
A Problem Nationwide
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), wrong-way accidents are a cause for concern nationwide because even though they account for only about 3 percent of all accidents on the nation's highways, they cause more deaths or catastrophic injuries. NTSB's special report on wrong-way crashes in 2012 stated that about 360 people die each year in the United States in about 260 fatal wrong-way collisions.
This means that each wrong-way accident claims multiple lives. Nationwide data shows that most wrong-way accidents are caused by drivers who get on the highway via the wrong exit ramp and that drivers who do so are usually under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Some data also suggests that elderly drivers, people over 70, are more likely to be involved in wrong-way car accidents.
The Impact of a Car Accident
As Rhode Island auto accident lawyers who represent victims of car crashes and their families, we understand first-hand the severe emotional and financial impact these traumatic incidents can have on individuals and families. Wrong-way car accidents tend to result in fatalities or severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal trauma and multiple bone fractures, often due to the impact with which these collisions occur. Victims are left facing medical expenses, loss of wages due to inability to work, potential loss of employment, hospitalization and surgery costs, etc. Families of deceased victims may be looking at medical and funeral costs and loss of a primary or sole wage earner. It is critical that victims of wrong-way car accidents in Rhode Island have the legal resources and guidance they need during this challenging time to ensure that their rights and best interests are protected. We hope the state's measures have helped prevent these tragedies and will be watching with interest to see if the preventive measures have been successful.
