Normally I stay away from what can be considered boastful statements, but in this instance I'll break that rule. I’ve read more wrong-way accident news reports than anybody in the United States, maybe the world. I’ve studied them for over three years. Over the next week I'll post a compendium of wrong-way accidents for an extended period of time. In Germany these accidents are referred to as Ghost riders. Let's define what we mean by wrong-way drivers.  A wrong-way driver is one driving the wrong way on the interstate or any divided highway and it includes the on and off ramps. An example would be a northbound driver in the southbound lanes of travel. As you can well imagine the consequences of a head-on crash between two vehicles running at 70 mph is deadly. I'm going to dig up my old posts and repost them this week so you can have the benefit of proof. Here are my findings.  

Here is what I’ve compiled about the causes, what to do when you encounter a wrong-way driver on the Interstate highways in America, how possibly to avoid wrong-way driver situations and how to prevent them from occurring.

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

1. 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. Use a designated driver or call a cab.
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.
14. Empower bars to take the keys away from drunks.

So follow me on this crazy wrong-way ride on your interstate divided highway for a head-on collision with reality. Learn how wrong-way collisions are a lot more common than you will ever believe could be real. And know that there is or will be a wrong-way driver on the interstate highways on which you drive. I don't care where you live sooner or later you will read about an accident caused by a wrong-way driver. See you tomorrow.

Fasten your seat belt while we examine ... just the facts.