San Diego’s Disproportionately High Problem With Wrong-Way Drivers
In 2015 alone, 13 people in San Diego died due to wrong-way crashes on the freeway. This high number has alerted San Diego state officials to issues with current methods of preventing wrong-way drivers from entering the freeway. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is currently discussing new ways to alert drivers to wrong-way entrances, such as the placement of larger signs or flashing lights. But until these methods are in place, drivers are still at risk of being involved in a fatal wrong-way crash every time they enter the freeway.
Why San Diego Has More Wrong-Way Crashes Than Other Cities
Studies show that the majority of wrong-way drivers have a blood alcohol content (BAC) above the legal limit of 0.08 or are elderly drivers over the age of 70. Most crashes occur between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m., with a peak at 2 a.m. Drunk drivers are too impaired to realize they are entering a freeway in the wrong direction and often cannot stop in time to avoid a deadly collision.
In the San Diego area, dozens of ramps line the major freeways, especially I-5, where the majority of the city’s wrong-way crashes occur. These ramps have red wrong-way signs clearly posted at their entrances and road reflectors that shine red when coming from the wrong direction. Other methods, such as using a horn to blare at wrong-way drivers, have proven ineffective and were discontinued.
Limits on Current Prevention Methods
The CHP forbids officials to shoot at wrong-way drivers, as there is a chance the driver may just be confused. Shots fired could also hit other motorists on the road and cause subsequent traffic accidents. Officials are also prohibited from following a wrong-way motorist onto the wrong side of the freeway, since their car would then be just as threatening to motorists as the perpetrator’s, and it would also risk the lives of the officers.
There are currently wrong-way signs posted at every off-ramp in our county, but many complain that they are not visible enough to impaired or elderly drivers. The use of spike strips to pop the tires of wrong-way drivers are available and currently part of the official plan to stop a wrong-way driver, but they are difficult to put down in time – especially in the event of a criminal wrong-way driver, who is mostly likely speeding.
New Preventative Measures
The CHP is trying new methods to prevent wrong-way drivers from entering freeways and improving current methods. The organization plans to enact these changes in 2016:
- Increased number of red reflectors on road
- Bigger and brighter pavement arrows
- Electronic sensors installed on high-traffic off-ramps to alert the CHP as soon as a wrong-way driver enters the freeway
- Larger and more reflective “wrong-way” signs
- Edging “do not enter” signs with flashing red LED lights
The CHP hopes these measures will decrease the number of wrong-way drivers entering the freeway this year and ensure the safety of San Diego drivers.
Your Legal Options in a Wrong-Way Crash
If you or someone you love has been involved in a wrong-way vehicle crash, contact the personal injury attorneys at Liljegren Law Group to discuss your options. We will sit with you one-on-one to go over the details of your case, and we will talk with you about your best decisions options forward.
Negligence is often a factor in these accidents, and you could be liable to receive money toward medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our compassionate attorneys have recovered millions of dollars for our injured clients. We know how to translate our deep concern for your health and happiness into courtroom success.