When a Connecticut auto accident happens there is often a good explanation for it. Generally accidents happen as the result of things like excessive speeding or distracted driving, but in 2022 there is a new culprit, wrong way driving.
With the year just a little more than half over there have already been a record number of deaths due to wrong way driving. In fact, in the last three years combined, there were just 19 deaths due to wrong way driving incidents. This year, there have been a total of 20 fatalities and sadly there are likely more to come.
As a motorist who is traveling the right way on a road, it can be scary to be faced with a driver who is coming at you going the wrong way on the road. There may be times where you would even think that you were seeing things, especially at night, but these dangerous behaviors are happening more and more frequently.
Now the state of Connecticut is standing up and taking notice of this growing public health crisis and they are taking actions. Recently, Governor Ned Lamont announced a plan to keep drivers safe from wrong-way motorists. The $20 million plan will implement cameras at on and off ramps for exits that will detect if a driver is entering the road going the wrong way. If a vehicle is headed on to a road going the wrong way the system will trigger signage alerting drivers on that road to proceed with caution.
This new system has been asked for by the state’s Department of Transportation and now will be piloted on roads throughout the state.
While being notified by a system designed to identify wrong-way drivers is one way to alert you and encourage you to proceed with caution, the other thing you can do to keep you and your loved ones safe is to not travel at high risk times, if you can avoid it. Many of these accidents are happening late at night when people are on the road and they are intoxicated. If you can avoid traveling into the early morning hours of the next day, you can do a lot to keep yourself safe from wrong-way drivers in the first place. Staying off the road may not always be possible, but if it is, it is the best way to protect yourself.
There is no fool proof way to protect yourself from getting into a Connecticut auto accident. Even following all of the rules and obeying posted speed limits signs will not keep you completely safe, but it will be a layer of protection that you can control.
If you do find yourself in a situation where you’ve been injured by a driver who was going the wrong way down the road, you may need an attorney to review your case and work with you to protect your long-term interests. Contact one of our experienced attorneys today.
