According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, between 2000 and 2004 there were 87 reported crashes statewide involving a wrong way driver resulting in 11 fatalities and 83 injuries.
(ALBANY) - State Police in Oregon have a few thoughts they wanted to share with drivers in the wake of Sunday night's tragic crash involving a wrong way driver northbound on Interstate 5 in the Albany area. Police say the driver that caused the crash was intoxicated.
OSP's Greg Hastings says the following information may be help as it relates to the issue of wrong way drivers.
Statistics (most recent information)According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1.7% of fatal crashes involved a wrong way driver. (2003)According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, between 2000 and 2004 there were 87 reported crashes statewide involving a wrong way driver resulting in 11 fatalities and 83 injuries.Who is the wrong way driver?Intoxicated driverOlder drivers who easily get confusedIntentional drivers (example - trying to avoid traffic jams / congestion caused by crashes)Inattentive drivers who mistake an off ramp for an on rampWrong way drivers usually drive in the inside lane or inside shoulder, believing they are actually on a two-lane highway.Most common types of wrong way driver involved crashes are head-on or sideswipe crashes.TipsWatch far ahead for signs of a possible wrong way driver, looking for signs similar to pending problems or developing emergency situations such as other traffic braking or swerving to avoid something, or the obvious - headlights coming in the opposite direction.Caution against driving long periods in the inside lane on freeways, especially on curves.
Police Offer Background Information on Wrong Way DriversSalem-News.com