State Police, RIDOT finding ways to curb wrong-way driving
By Nicole Brazier
In the last 5 months, four families have held funeral services for loved ones killed by wrong-way drivers and all of them involved alcohol.
Now the Rhode Island State Police and RIDOT are working together to put an end to the problem by installing even more signage at 24 intersections throughout the state, that have been labeled the most confusing, and potentially dangerous for wrong way drivers.
“Since December we’ve had approximately 6 wrong way crashes in
To avoid future accidents, the state will install more signs at eye level with drivers some with flashing LED lights and even some with sensors that can detect a car coming in the wrong direction and send a message to an electronic billboard further down on the highway.
“The traffic management center will put it on the message boards around the state: wrong way driver, wrong way driver, so at least people on the highway or limited access highways can see or pull over and get out of the way in case a car is coming,” say Col. O’Donnell.
Other states that have implemented these changes have seen a 90% decrease in wrong-way driving accidents.
But authorities say that’s not enough. They’re striving for 100% but that takes more than street signs.
“The message to people that live here, visit here, that’s the bottom line. The common denominator here is alcohol,” says Col. O’Donnell.
Construction on the new signs began last fall, and will continue through the spring. So far 3 detection systems have been installed though they won’t be activated until all the units are in place and tested.
(C) WLNE/TV 2015
