In a recent 8 hour span of time there were three incidents that involved drivers heading the wrong way on our roads leading to Connecticut auto accidents and a total of 8 deaths. While not a new phenomenon here in Connecticut or around the country, this trend continues to be troubling to both law enforcement and driver safety advocates who recognize the immediate dangers presented by someone traveling at a high speed in the wrong direction on the highway.
If you are ever in a situation where someone is coming down the road and driving on the wrong side of the road you should immediately pull over to the side of the road safely and once you are parked, call law enforcement so they can address the imminent threat to other drivers on the road. You should not attempt to reach the driver in the other vehicle or slow them down yourself as this puts you in harm's way unnecessarily.
Law enforcement have identified a number of factors that are often contributing factors to drivers heading down the highway on the wrong side of the road. These factors may include the following;
-
Mental health issues. Often drivers who are struggling with mental health problems may not be in a frame of mind to be able to drive safely. This is the type of situation that must be handled by law enforcement and should not be addressed by civilians.
-
Impaired driving. When a driver is operating a vehicle in an erratic way, including driving on the wrong side of the road, it is likely that they are under the influence of a substance such as alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. It may be the case that if someone is driving impaired on the wrong side of the road they are not aware they are doing it and again “stopping them” should be left up to law enforcement.
-
Inclement weather. This type of wrong way driving is likely a true accident where visibility is low and finding the right direction may be challenging. If conditions are so bad and you are not able to determine which way you are supposed to be driving, you may want to pull over and wait for the conditions to improve.
No matter the reason that someone is driving on the wrong side of the road it can very easily lead to a Connecticut auto accident. Law enforcement are reporting that this is an ever-growing problem and needs to be continually monitored as vehicles driving in the wrong-direction is one of the most dangerous things that can happen on Connecticut’s roads.
Keeping an eye out for this type of erratic behavior on the road is a good idea, but if you happen to be injured in a situation like this you may need an attorney to review your case and work with you to find a solution that will protect your long-term interests. Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will be able to assist you.
