Deadly Wrong-Way Crashes are Increasing—Here's Why

Have you ever been cruising down the highway, jamming to your playlist, and suddenly seeing headlights coming straight at you? That’s a driver’s worst nightmare. 

Worldwide, wrong-way crashes are a serious issue. They are happening more often. These aren't just minor fender-benders. They are often head-on collisions at high speeds. These crashes are disproportionately fatal. 

So, what’s going on? Why are more people ending up on the wrong side of the road? We’ll discuss that here. 

Why are Wrong-Way Crashes Becoming More Common

Several factors contribute to this dangerous trend. Some of them are discussed below. 

1. Impaired Driving is a Big Problem

Alcohol impairment is a major factor in wrong-way crashes. 

A staggering 12,429 people lost their lives in traffic accidents involving alcohol-impaired drivers. Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit of 0.08 g/dL are most likely to be involved in wrong-way crashes. 

Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and the ability to follow traffic laws and signs. This is why so many impaired drivers end up entering exit ramps or going the wrong direction on divided highways. 

Take Atlanta, Georgia for instance. Wrong-way crashes are on the rise on Metro Atlanta highways. Atlanta personal injury attorneys identify impaired driving, especially DUI, as a significant cause of these crashes. 

Due to the sheer volume of motor vehicle accidents, many people are left with debilitating injuries and substantial financial difficulties, notes Atlanta Personal Injury Law Firm. 

2. GPS Navigation Error Makes Things Worse

Technology is helpful, but over-reliance on GPS can lead drivers astray. Blindly following GPS directions without paying attention to actual road signs and conditions is risky. 

GPS apps aren't always perfect. They might not account for recent construction, new traffic patterns, or temporary closures. This can lead drivers to make illegal turns, ignore signs, or enter restricted ramps.

Driver confusion, whether from complex road design, poor signage, or GPS errors, is a factor in many wrong-way incidents. Unfamiliarity with an area can compound these issues, making drivers overly reliant on potentially flawed navigation prompts. 

3. Driving Errors in Older Adults Are a Risk Factor

Did you know that drivers over 65 are 7.5 times at a greater risk of a wrong-way crash? 

Age itself isn't the problem, but certain age-related changes can increase the risk. Declines in vision, especially at night, hearing, reaction time, and cognitive functions can affect driving ability. 

Driving requires complex skills that can diminish with age or conditions like dementia. Older drivers have been more frequently involved in crashes at intersections, often due to failing to yield the right-of-way or misjudging gaps. 

Failing to look properly or not looking at all is another common error. These challenges can make navigating complex interchanges or recognizing warning signs more difficult.

What Can Drivers Do to Prevent Wrong-Way Crashes?

Road design and technology play a part, but driver behavior is equally important. Here are key actions drivers can take to prevent wrong-way crashes. 

1. Don’t Drive Impaired

This is the most important step. If drinking alcohol or using impairing drugs, do not drive. Even a couple of drinks can mess with your decision-making, vision, and reaction time. So, plan ahead. 

Line up a designated driver, call an Uber, crash at a friend’s place—anything but getting behind the wheel. One wrong turn after a drink could change lives forever. That one wrong decision—like turning into an off-ramp—can end in tragedy.

2. Stay Alert, Especially Near Ramps

Highway ramps are hot zones for wrong-way drivers. So, when you're near one, keep your eyes open, head up, and your brain in charge.

This is where most of those scary wrong-way entries happen. People accidentally turn into an off-ramp thinking it’s an on-ramp, especially at night, and boom! That’s when Collisions happen. 

Take Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) as an example. Roads are not well-marked in the mountainous areas. Nighttime driving is risky for exactly this reason. 

If you're driving in a not-so-well-marked area in SVG or merging onto the highway in some other country, do a quick scan ahead. Look for headlights where they shouldn’t be—like, coming toward you. And if you spot a car coming toward you, slow down and move over.  

3. Use GPS Wisely

Navigation aids are tools, not infallible guides. Don’t just blindly follow directions. Sometimes it lags, reroutes weirdly, or tells you to turn left when there’s clearly no road there.

Always prioritize road signs and markings over GPS instructions. If a GPS direction seems wrong or contradicts a sign like "Do Not Enter", trust the sign. Double-check routes, especially near complex interchanges or ramps. 

A little extra caution with your GPS can prevent you from ending up face-to-face with oncoming traffic.

Wrong-way crashes are a terrifying and growing problem. But they are preventable. A little awareness, a few smart decisions, and a willingness to speak up can significantly reduce their risk.

Combined with ongoing efforts to improve road design and warning systems, the numbers can be turned back in the right direction.